Picture the school classroom. Rows of desks with chairs, teacher in the front, everyone facing the front. For many years educational experts have proposed that the traditional setup of school classrooms does not foster collaboration or creativity. In Sweden, the Vittra International school system, which operates 30 schools is changing the look and feel of the classroom.
Vittra schools work with three key words in everything that they do: networks, skills, and language. Students develop bilingual skills in English and Swedish and by creating international contacts through networks and and exchange program. Using computers and developing technological skills is a strong value of the schools.
One of the newest Vittra schools, Telefonplan, opened last Summer. The architecture and space was designed by an architecture firms. Room setup is arrange in more of a pod or island setup. There is space designed for group work including a space called “the village” – which is a small house structure with a table. The forms of the spaces vary from organic to more architectural in nature.
This unique design is intended to provide opportunities for both collaborative and independent work and to support curiosity and creativity.
When I was in grades 6-8 we were setup in “pods” – where 4 classes would be held in one large hexagonal room. In the middle of the room were a set of couches where you could read, study or meet in groups. I know that this middle area was one of my favorite areas to be in. One problem with this setup is that you could often hear the other class across the room in the hexagonal space. I know that I would have loved being a more creative and collaborative atmosphere. Too bad I didn’t grow up in Sweden – I would have loved the non-classroom atmosphere.
Image Source:
Vitra International Website
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