Co-designing learning spaces with learners: Lessons from a Welsh primary school classroom

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  • Robyn McQueen
    University of South Wales
  • Matthew Pullen
    University of South Wales
  • Sammy Chapman
    Cardiff Metropolitan University
  • Scott Hann
    The Federation of Blenheim Road Community & Coed Eva Primary Schools
  • Gary Beauchamp
    Cardiff Metropolitan University
  • Tom Crick
    Swansea University
  • Owen Davies
    Bangor University
  • Carl Hughes
  • Caroline Lewis
    University of Wales, Trinity St David
  • Kaydee Owen
This research presents a case study of one class’s reflections on how they redesigned their classroom to suit the diverse needs of the teacher and learners, and how learners continue to adapt their learning space to better suit their individual needs. The findings of this paper illuminate how learners value agency and choice in their classrooms, something which can be achieved by offering them various work surfaces and spaces to complete learning activities.

Learners suggested that flexible learning environments enabled them to choose where and how to complete their work, but also enabled them to position themselves in social environments that suit their learning needs. This work provides further context and insight into the implementation of the new Curriculum for Wales from September 2022 onwards, as well as the wider education system-level reforms currently taking place in Wales.

Keywords

  • Learning spaces, Wales, Co-design, Primary school, Flexible learning environments
Original languageEnglish
Article number4
JournalWales Journal of Education
Issue numberFocus on Practice
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Mar 2024

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