Classrooms are adapting to new teaching approaches, propelling the educational environment to new heights of learning. In this changing environment, education institutions need to make sure that each dollar spent is beneficial to students. With funding decisions scrutinized by teachers, parents and taxpayers, purchases must meet an institution's…

Students in primary and secondary school can expect to be at school an average of seven hours a day; students attending college are encouraged to dedicate at least 35 hours a week to studying--in addition to time spent in the classroom. The time and energy devoted to learning does not affect just the mind; it also can take a toll on a person's…

Tax bases eroding. Jobs disappearing. Endowments shrinking. Aid evaporating. That's been the story in 2009 for many schools and universities across the nation. Education institutions have had to cope with the worst economic conditions in generations. Yet the product they provide has never been more critical to a society looking to rebound from…

In recent years, more education administrators and designers have embraced the potential benefits of daylighting. They have been persuaded that using natural light to illuminate facilities enables schools and universities to conserve energy and provide a learning environment in which students perform better. For daylighting advocates, the…

In designing schools, planners must use the criteria of health and safety, performance, comfort, and aesthetics to create a humanized physical environment that stimulates interest and provides motivation for learning and teaching. The human factors in design are sense of place, ownership, community, presence comfort, security, aesthetics,…

Much has been written about how the design and condition of physical facilities affects student achievement, but schools need to place more emphasis on the importance of furniture in enhancing the facility and improving student performance. Furniture and color are major ingredients in establishing a positive learning environment. Furnishing a…

As energy costs rise and resources dwindle, schools and universities can benefit greatly by taking an environmentally sensitive approach to construction, renovation and maintenance of facilities. Administrators free up needed budget resources by operating facilities more efficiently. Using sustainable-design strategies can set a good example for…