Study finds that flexible classrooms improve student engagement

A new study published in the peer-reviewed Planning for Education Journal has found that classrooms designed for active learning have a positive effect on student engagement. The study—from a company that provides furniture for educational settings—found that 72% of students surveyed said that making their classroom more flexible improved their motivation to attend class. 84% of student respondents said that they felt more engaged in classroom activities when studying in a flexible classroom. The report asked more than 120 students at 4 institutions to consider 12 measures of engagement. “We’ve known anecdotally for some time that environment can positively impact our ability to create a more engaged and successful education experience. This research finally proves it,” said Gary Pavlechko, Director of Teaching Technology at Ball State University, one of the participating institutions. Campus Technology