Circular Learning Spaces
A metaphor for
the circle of life…
community…
inclusiveness…
the recursive learning process…
timelessness…
Circles are important symbols in life.
Circles are seen in schools, although they are usually not prevalent. Traditionally, circles are incorporated when students circle up to receive directions, share writing pieces, or work in groups. Whenever circles are used, it is a pivotal time.
Circles build communities.
Circles reflect natural elements in nature.
Circles signify connectedness.
Circles represent royalty.
Even our brains are a circular shape!
If circles are such an important in life, then why is education so square?
Rubrics
School IDs
Lunch trays
Computers
Desks
Doors
Education tells students they must fight nature and learn in an unnatural way. Education tells students they must fit in the prescribed box.
As opposed to traditional lecture style classrooms, circular learning spaces promote collaboration, increasing motivation and improving retention. Circular learning spaces have made appearances all over the world:
- Southall School has implemented “Igloo Immersion” where students are surrounded by screens that can project images, recreating authentic learning experiences right in the classroom.
- The Harvard Business School has implemented “Hives” due to a recent demand by businesses wanting employees who can collaborate and work in teams. The Hives consist of moveable chairs and round tables so students have real flexibility in their learning space.
- In South Wales, students learn in a completely circular space, including the building, since 2009.
My classroom will incorporate spherical elements: share circles, cooperative learning groups, round tables. I may even incorporate circle drumming in the classroom.
Maybe it’s time to get outside the 1950s architectural dark age and make schools shaped like circles. On an unrelated note, back in 7th grade math, we had drafting assignments for geometry and I used to draw triangle and sphere-shaped houses instead of rectangles. My teacher hated me for that: “This isn’t how people live, Christian! Just get out!”
Oh man. I guess you can’t do it if it hasn’t been done.
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