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Classroom Decor for Improved Engagement




A classroom should be visually appealing and inviting but also functional. Posters can serve a variety of purposes in the classroom and are easy to use.

Teachers who prefer a more cozy classroom can use long rows to have students sit in close proximity to each other. This arrangement leaves plenty of room for debates or presentations and makes it easier for the teacher to reach every student for one-on-one support.

Appealing Classroom Decor

We all know that classrooms often look bright and cheery. Teachers display inspiring words, student work, parts of lessons and charts and graphs on their walls.

However, a new study found that heavily decorated classrooms bombard students with visual information, interfering with their ability to focus and memorize.

Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean that all classrooms need to be stark and empty. A good rule of thumb is to keep 20 to 50 percent of classroom walls clear, while filling the rest with displays and learning aids. Displaying student work also adds a personal touch and boosts studentsâ€TM sense of ownership over their classroom.

Bulletin Boards

Bulletin boards are central hubs of information that enhance a studentâ€TMs learning experience. They disseminate relevant knowledge, foster a community approach, and encourage collaboration and communication.

A sharing bulletin board enables students to become aware of the talents, aptitudes, and successes of their peers. It can also help them to connect with common interests and forge new friendships.

An SEL bulletin board demonstrates the importance of empathy, compassion, and respect for diversity. It can include visual representations of different emotions to help students identify their own feelings and those of others. It can also promote self-reflection by encouraging them to consider their own actions and thoughts.

Seating Arrangements

Classroom seating arrangements can make or break a studentâ€TMs learning experience. It is crucial to have an array of options that allow for flexible work.

Pair seating is a great option for small group discussion and collaboration. This classroom arrangement can be achieved with desks or tables and works well for controlled discussions.

Differentiation stations are also a great way to increase engagement. This type of station allows students to complete assignments that are aligned with their academic level. It also gives them the freedom to move around within their workstation without disrupting other students. This type of seating also enables teachers to monitor student engagement in real-time.

Educational Posters

Posters are valuable tools for enhancing a studentâ€TMs learning experience. They help students grasp complex concepts and ideas, and can motivate or inspire them in multiple ways.

They can also serve as an assessment tool, allowing students to demonstrate their knowledge in a creative way. This is especially useful for students with visual learning styles, such as those who have trouble reading small text or squinting.

Posters can also be used to provide important information about the subject at hand, such as a timeline of historical events or diagrams of mathematical formulas. They can be particularly effective in a history class or language arts course.

Classroom Themes

Teachers often use classroom decor to help students remember important information, but the way they do this can affect how well students learn. For example, a classroom theme featuring eucalyptus can enhance student engagement by bringing calming vibes to the room.

Moreover, a classroom themed with maps, word walls and other decorations may distract students from learning by making them more focused on the visual noise than on lesson content (Psychological Science).

As a general rule, limiting decorative elements to one color palette can limit visual noise and support student learning. This is especially true for classroom themes that highlight inspiring role models and empowering quotes.

Organization

A well-organized space is essential for a studentâ€TMs learning experience. This includes minimizing distractions and keeping classroom supplies organized. This allows students to work in small groups and on projects without feeling cluttered or overwhelmed.

Using furniture that supports teaching methods is another essential component to an effective learning space. This may include a teacher desk that is used as a collaboration station, or it could mean moving to flexible seating arrangements that encourages student engagement and participation.

Before selecting furniture or decorations, think about what your instructors and students need to do in a specific space for an extended period of time. Then, make decisions that support those goals.