DESIGN TO ENHANCE LEARNING
 As caretakers of the investment taxpayers have entrusted us with, it is our responsibility to ensure the creation of school facilities that serve the learner. Good planning that results in flexible solutions while meeting the basic standards for teaching is just the start. Legacy facilities engage the learner in an active way; facilities that not only provide a warm, safe and dry environment, but also allow the student to take risks as part of their academic achievements so they grow more as members of the community and as individuals.
A good example of how facilities can do this is High Tech High School in San Diego. Created as a small learning environment with a focus on project-based, active learning, the school took advantage of old warehouse space to create a vital and engaging learning environment. The school serves approximately 400 students in a technology rich setting with a curriculum that encourages personal growth, expression and exploration. Students and teachers work collaboratively in an open and office like environment in teams. The environment is simple and flexible to allow the students, teachers or other staff to re-configure spaces quickly and without cost.
Environments like High Tech High can be replicated in traditional school facilities as well. The fundamental principles for creating it are simple:
- First, engage the learners and the teachers in the discussion about the design solution. Quality learning environments come from the open exploration of educational goals and objectives.
- Use every part of the facility for learning. Finding creative ways to use those spaces that are traditionally considered ancillary, such as corridors, common areas, and stairwells will result in a more efficient use of the overall facility. Learning happens everywhere, not just in the classroom.
- Break down the scale of the school to support the learner as an individual. Creating more intimate and learner centered spaces that allow for individual, small group and large group interaction will provide more opportunities for students to extend themselves academically.
- Integrate the students and the teachers in a common, learner-centered environment. By removing the isolation of student and teacher, the collaborative nature of learning will be enhanced.
Building a dialogue about the role of the environment in learning early in the process will help shape our schools in new ways. The result will be facilities that reflect our commitment to our learners while creating environments that will stand the test of time and evolve as our teaching strategies evolve. Legacy schools are learner focused.
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