The changing space of education : how can design elements and spaces be combined with contemporary educational pedagogy to develop highly effective, future focused, Innovative Learning Environments, in a primary school setting?

Abstract

The New Zealand educational system is at the beginning of the largest redevelopment of educational infrastructure the country has ever undertaken. In 2013, the Minister of Education announced $1.1 billion would be spent on the redevelopment of schools within Christchurch, with $200-400 million annually for further developments in other parts of the country. Such a large investment into school infrastructure creates an opportunity to reconceptualise the way schools look and function.

This project explores how to create Innovative Learning Environments for a primary school by taking learning research into teaching spaces and design elements and combining it with contemporary pedagogy to create future focused learning environments for 21st century learning.

This will be articulated through the redevelopment of an Auckland school which has been identified by the Ministry of Education for development in the coming years. The goal is to create an environment that supports and promotes a highly effective, future focused, learning community.