Colearning spaces — inspired by their coliving and coworking equivalents— have become an increasingly popular model in the educational sector. This trend is strongly related to the pandemic and the various forms of lockdown that students have endured.
The key
The creation of bubbles or stable social groups, the requirement to separate desks or tables, and the need for natural ventilation have opened up debate on how space is adapted to transmit content and knowledge.
It is an unusual situation. Due to COVID-19, school students have been faced with challenges such as isolation, the acceleration of digital environments and the inability to socialise, to name but a few. Educational models are being adapted to the new circumstances imposed by the pandemic.
Some schools have undoubtedly interpreted this situation as a threat, while others have seen it as an opportunity. Regulations have become more flexible and focus is placed on the learning experience and support for children and families’ new academic, motivation-related and organisational needs
Centres from the Best Schools in Spain network prioritise well-being and focus on rapidly developing skills that allow students to demonstrate their talent and get ready for the academic and professional world.
Nowadays, many believe that some traditional aspects (inflexible times, calendar, itineraries, organisation, etc.) have lost their importance in favour of new values.
If we think about the architecture seen in schools, we often imagine the same type of classrooms as when we went to school and that many of them have not changed since then. In response to the need to adapt schools to the outside reality, and focusing on students’ well-being, colearning spaces have been created. These versatile, hybrid and flexible spaces are designed using principles based on neuroscience and pedagogy and combine educational innovation and the possibility of incorporating new services into the typical activities of schools, universities and training centres.
Space utilization and paradigm shift
Colearning spaces are an essential part of schools in several countries worldwide, making the most of spaces and implementing change in the educational paradigm The union between education and architecture has led this concept to become increasingly popular in Spain, and schools in many of our country’s cities already have co-learning spaces.
Colearning spaces are the result of yet another transformation in the educational sector, a step forward based on adaptation to today’s world, collaboration, personalization, well-being, flexibility and comfort in schools.
Centres from the Best Schools in Spain network endeavour to provide solutions for an educational future that requires constant reinvention. In terms of school architecture, these educational centres are interested in assessing and implementing new learning spaces where students not only learn, but want to do so. They also analyse the impact on academic performance, motivation, the school climate, and students’ health and well-being.
