The demand for workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers is increasing in the United States. This increase has led to a growing urgency to implement STEM education in classrooms, including early childhood. STEM education is necessary to help students develop the skills to succeed in STEM careers. Integrating the…

There is a paucity of research that has effectively listened to children's voices on matters important to them and has asked them how they would like to be listened to. This study used a playful approach to listen to children's voices about play spaces in their primary school. The research questions were: How can a playful approach be used to…

Recent years have witnessed the spread of purpose-built active learning classrooms throughout the higher education sector. While these innovative learning spaces are well-suited for a variety of active learning strategies, their lack of a single focal point means they are inconvenient spaces for lecturing. While educational developers often…

The aim of the research is to determine pre-service preschool teachers' views on creating learning environments in preschool classrooms. Qualitative research methods were used in the research. The study group was composed of 35 pre-service preschool teachers. In this study, a semi-structured interview form was chosen as data collection tool. The…

The Texas Woman's University Future Classroom Laboratory (TWUFCL) is a unique learning space designed for use by university faculty, future teachers, and local PreK-12 teachers and students. Part of the European Schoolnet's Network of Future Classroom Labs, the TWUFCL offers users the chance to explore the science of teaching and learning in a…

The primary contribution of this paper is the finding that lack of activities and interesting learning areas prepared by the teacher in the classroom may negatively impact children's social behavior. Classroom design and the teacher's careful selection of materials to be displayed in each of the learning areas do engage young children in learning…

This book is intended as a guide for teachers who want a practical aid to individualization of learning. Its primary focus is on the specific steps needed to implement learning centers. This includes planning, scheduling, teacher-student relationships, student evaluation, and finding and using materials. The book is divided into four sections.…

Discusses creating prototype learning centers: designs that combine education theory with design. Also provided are ideas for new schools that offer a departure from traditional classrooms. (GR)

Suggests that live plants can brighten up the classroom and can serve as the focus of interdisciplinary learning activities for elementary students. Briefly describes the organization of a "living laboratory" in an elementary school. (SJL)

It is suggested that a stimulating environment, rich with color, relaxed in mood, and imaginative in arrangement, will produce a favorable effect on the child's senses and hopefully create an attitude that will be favorable toward learning. (Author)

The article provides helpful hints to the teacher who wishes to develop learning centers in his classroom. The author defines a learning center and tells how the center can be managed, how it should be begun, and the benefits it offers to the teacher. (HMD)

The term open classroom'' refers not only to a structured school environment, but also to a philosophical and epistemological rationale. The rationale is important because without it the open classroom becomes activity without direction. (Author)

Ideas for learning centers that will motivate students include: (1) a "railroad station" for reading groups; (2) a model rocket where children can use calculators; (3) a walled-in castle study center; (4) a model one-room schoolhouse; (5) a map center; and (6) a music center. Procedures for building and stocking the centers are…

Discusses the logic of a learning environment approach for young children, suggests room and equipment arrangements, and provides ideas for effective learning centers. (RJC)