Have you ever wondered why some classes seem endless and others fly by? Why do some schools around the world look like they’re from a movie, while others still have the same design from decades ago?
34% of secondary students in Spain don’t complete their studies. Why does this happen? Designer Rosan Bosch believes that part of the problem lies in how schools are designed. In her talk, she proposes transforming spaces so that learning is more attractive, more dynamic, and most importantly, more motivating.
Watch the following video carefully and think about which of these ideas could be applied to your own classroom, even if resources are limited.
Why do learning spaces need to change?
One of the major problems that Rosan Bosch highlights is that education hasn’t changed enough. In most classrooms, students learn sitting down, in silence and without moving. But neuroscience and modern pedagogy show that learning is more effective when students can move, interact, and participate actively.
In her talk, she proposes a key idea: learning should adapt to students, not the other way around. Traditional classrooms, designed so everyone listens in silence, don’t match how the brain actually learns.
Reflection: If learning were only a matter of sitting and being quiet, shouldn’t it be equally easy for everyone?
The six principles of school design according to Rosan Bosch
For a learning space to work better, Rosan Bosch proposes six key principles. Below, we present each one with a brief explanation and a question to reflect on how they could be applied, even with limited resources:
- Summit: Group communication doesn’t always have to be frontal. A teacher speaking in front of 30 students can work, but it’s not always the best strategy. Imagine if chairs could be arranged in a semicircle or in groupsâwould it change the class dynamics?
- Cave: Concentration and individual focus. Sometimes, we need a space to work in silence and focus on our own learning. It doesn’t have to be a separate physical space, but it could be a time of day when there’s more quiet and concentration.
- Chorus: Teamwork. We don’t always learn better alone. Sometimes, sharing ideas with others helps us understand better. How could desks be better organized in class to allow more teamwork?
- Fountain: A space for rest and inspiration. Not everything is work. We also need moments of disconnection. A corner of the classroom could be used for reading, sharing ideas, or simply resting for a few minutes.
- Hands-on: Learning with the body. Learning isn’t just mental, it’s also physical. Incorporating manipulative materials, making models, or working with concrete objects can make learning easier.
- Up: Move your body to activate your brain. Movement isn’t a distraction; it’s a tool for better learning. Does your class have space for students to move a bit between activities?
And now⦠what can you do?
It’s not about building a science fiction school. It’s about thinking about what small changes we can make now with the resources we have.
After watching the video and reading these ideas, make a list of three changes you could propose to improve your classroom. It could be something as simple as rearranging desks, creating a space to display student work, or proposing more active learning moments.
If you could improve your classroom with just one idea, what would it be?