Vr technology for designing the classroom of the future
How can you experience your new learning environments before they are in place? In the spring of 2021, Kinnarps participated in a project together with future interior designer Hebba Lejon from University of Arts, Crafts & Design in Stockholm, to find out just that. With thirteen years of experience as a teacher in mathematics and science as well as studies in research in didactics, Hebba has great insight into the challenges when it comes to the physical environment in school. Her thesis was about investigating the possibility of shaping the classrooms of the future with the help of VR technology and the effects of VR in design work and dialogue with the school.
“The physical environment in the classroom is a current and relevant subject. In fact, these environments have not kept pace with developments and need to be adapted to today's teaching. Research shows that the physical work environment is a tool that can improve learning by 16 percent. It feels great and I am excited about the project.”
The project included drawings of a new school to be built in Sweden. Based on them, a classroom was selected from which Hebba made a virtual model. The classroom environments were then developed in collaboration with teachers, school leaders and students. In a workshop, it was discussed what needs there are and what activities the classroom should be able to support.
Hebba explains her vision with the classroom based on her own experiences as a teacher:
“Above all, I wanted to create a classroom that supports co-learning and knowledge exchange between students, with a focus on the students meeting. Research shows that students learn best from each other. Then we must create a physical learning environment where students can meet. Instead of sitting in a row and looking ahead at the teacher, the classroom has been furnished with islands of seating and standing areas for the students. There are no 28 identical chairs or 28 identical tables. Children have different needs. Sometimes you want to stand, sometimes you sit. There are also those who like to lie on the floor and work so that need is also met. In the room there is also a grandstand lined with a rug, which flows out into the room. At some point during the lesson, the students may need to move or if they are to do practical physical examinations in, for example, mathematics - learn to estimate weight or height - then there is room for that. In the varied environments, the teacher can move and be the active, committed and inspiring teacher as he should be today, in my opinion. The teacher can easily review, hear and involve when needed.”
An adjacent room for individual work has also been created for the classroom, this space has been inspired by a library environment regarding color, shape and furniture. This room should be used when a student needs to concentrate on private and quiet work in a setting that is calm and comfortable.
Hebba continues, the response from the participants in the project has been great:
“We are constantly working on this type of collaboration and saw it as an opportunity to be a part of developing the learning environments of the future. For us, Hebba's background as a teacher was a significant factor in this project. We are convinced that it is extremely important to prioritize and carefully plan the physical environment at an early stage when new learning environments are to be designed. Then you have good conditions to create interior design solutions that last over time and that support students, staff and the business in general. At Kinnarps, we have developed the learning space analysis Next Education®, which with its various tools can be a support in the important preparatory work when new learning environments are planned. Being able to combine it with testing different furniture solutions in VR provides even better help to schools when new learning environments are to be designed. ”
The project reached it’s end point at University of Arts, Crafts & Design´s degree exhibition where Hebba presented her degree project through filmed material from the project.
Anders Larsson, Learning Space Strategist and Next Education® Manager at Kinnarps AB says:
“We are constantly working on this type of collaboration and saw it as an opportunity to be a part of developing the learning environments of the future. For us, Hebba's background as a teacher was a significant factor in this project. We are convinced that it is extremely important to prioritize and carefully plan the physical environment at an early stage when new learning environments are to be designed. Then you have good conditions to create interior design solutions that last over time and that support students, staff and the business in general. At Kinnarps, we have developed the learning space analysis Next Education®, which with its various tools can be a support in the important preparatory work when new learning environments are planned. Being able to combine it with testing different furniture solutions in VR provides even better help to schools when new learning environments are to be designed.”
