Dive Brief:
- Using the five senses, some school districts are giving classrooms and tech labs makeovers, while keeping in mind conceptual factors like the psychological impact of certain colors as well as practical considerations like budgetary constraints.
- Inspiration for classroom makeovers can be found anywhere, but some have turned to cheerful toy stores and cafes for ideas.
- One sixth-grade teacher at Jefferson Middle School in in Southern California's San Gabriel Unified School District even reimagined her classroom as a beanbag lounge, eliminating traditional tables and chairs for "video-game chairs" that rock, beanbag seats, and adjustable coffee tables.
Dive Insight:
It's no secret that it's generally more comfortable to live and learn in spaces that are filled with color and light, as opposed to dark, dank spaces. Some school staff, District Administration reports, are choosing the color yellow in particular because of its uplifting properties. And classroom makeovers aren't limited to simple fixes like paint alone: Others cited in the article have tried to re-create sleek themes like that of Apple Stores or college lounges.
"While the impact of color is often overlooked, color is an inseparable part of our everyday lives," the Smith System, which sells educational furniture, notes. "It’s inherent in everything we see and do and studies indicate that it plays a role in emotion, productivity, communication and learning." Furniture choices can also impact student learning.