Open-space school
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The open-space school concept was introduced into the United States in the 1970s as an experimental elementary school architecture where the physical walls separating classrooms were removed to promote movement across class areas by teachers. However, in practice this is not typical since teachers tend to prefer teaching in a traditional manner as if the walls were still present. Further, modern open-space schools tend to use modular furniture to separate class rooms in a manner similar to "Cubicle farms" used in many corporate environment.
Other benefits of open space schools included easily reconfigurable class room space, reduced school construction, reduced maintenance, and reduced school heating costs due to the open space architecture.
Open-space schools continue to be a very controversial idea for the obvious reason that a lack of architectural walls increases the noise and distraction making the teaching environment unconducive to learning. However, some studies have shown that the open-space school model has a tendency to increase curiosity and creativity of children.[citation needed]
Klein found in a 1975 study that third graders with low levels of anxiety were more creative in open schools than in traditional school. Children with high levels of anxiety shows no differences between open-space and traditional school models. Students in open-spaced schools scored higher on preference for novelty and change (Elias & Elias, 1976).
[edit] References
- Pick et al., "Development of Spatial Cognition", Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, ISBN 0-89859-543-6, copyright 1985, page 99)
