Okely, Anthony D. Senior Professor

This project was commissioned by the NSW Department of Education in 2016 to evaluate a change in school classroom design moving from traditional rows of desks to a Flexible Learning Space (FLS) design which accommodates a variety of furnishings to meet the needs of different pedagogical approaches of teachers and learning styles of students. This project has benefited the NSW Department of Education by providing feedback to teachers, executives and directors regarding the effect of FLS on children’s learning, time on task, engagement and collaboration. At an organisational level, the research provided constructive infrastructural design advice and addressed teacher concerns regarding the practical implications of a pedagogical approach which encouraged students to be co-creators of their learning experience using collaboration, independence and experiential learning in an environment where students are free to move around the classroom. Children benefitted through a more actively engaged approach to their learning which resulted in more positive classroom interactions and a reduction in sitting time, resulting in improved health and wellbeing.