The Space: A Guide For Educators

by Rebecca Louise Hare, Robert Dillon

Thoughts, Ideas, Hacks on Learning Space Design by Rebecca Louise Hare and Robert Dillon supports the conversation around this necessary revolution happening in education concerning reshaping school spaces to better support learning. This book goes well beyond the noise on learning space design that focuses on pretty Pinterest classrooms and moves towards a more sophisticated conversation about how learning spaces support and drive brain-friendly learning. SPACE is a beautifully designed book that respects that reading and learning can happen in a visually appealing way. Hare and Dillon walk educators through a series of questions and ideas on how learning spaces can support collaboration, creation, showcasing learning, and a learner’s need for quiet. In addition to nudging thinking forward, SPACE provides practical design tips and uses images and testimonials for hacking learning spaces on a realistic budget. This book is designed to motivate, grow capacity, and energize educators to begin shifting their learning spaces to support modern learning for all students.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Professional Development, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

Published June 8, 2016

Reviews

[Coenraad · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authors present wonderful ideas about redesigning learning spaces. Their ideas are not only applicable to classrooms, but also to libraries, and I'm sure that offices, conference venues and other spaces of work could benefit from some of these ideas too. The unconventional layout of the book adds to its value.

Die skrywers bied vars insigte om ryker leerruimtes te ontwerp. Die idees is van toepassing op meer ruimtes as net klaskamers. Die ongewone uitleg van die boek is deel van die pret en die waarde van die boek.

[Kate Foran · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book gives readers a general framework for thinking about designing learning spaces. It is a very quick read, but it's so general and abstract it did not feel very useful. I would have appreciated seeing some "applied" design solutions to common classroom issues - maybe some case studies.

[Tammy Riel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick read, which helps teachers begin to think about the intentional use of their classroom spaces and utilizing the environment as a learning support.

***Also, an excellent resource to refer back to once you begin creating learning spaces.

[Hollis Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a lot that I liked about this book. The layout of the actual text made it a really easy and interesting read. I really struggle reading nonfiction, but this book was easy to get through and kept my attention.
I also think this is a really good book for administrators rather than teachers. At the end of the day, I can’t apply a lot of this to my classroom, because I’m not in charge of the budget. I think a lot of this also applies to teachers who teach 3rd grade and up. It’s a lot harder to make students part of the design process when they’re 5 years old…
Was some of this helpful? Absolutely. Could I use most of it to amplify my space? Absolutely not. But still a good read!

[Sen Foo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good book. Very fast read. Finished this on a 2 hours airplane.

The book leaves many places blank to allow readers to reflect and come up with their own design of space and design thinking. Although I already know about 70% of the content, the book still push me to think about my future practices in pedagogy and the redesign of learning space.

Drawbacks: some parts are abstract and maybe more concrete examples of modern classroom settings would help (Pictures or Video links).

I like the style of the book very much though. Very modern and artistic. Overall 3/5 stars.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another required summer book, but this one was a lot more user friendly and did not take as much time to get the main points. It made me excited to create good learning spaces for my classrooms this year!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the right amount of provocation, guidance, and starter tips for busy teachers ready to shake things up and transition their classrooms to student-centered learning spaces. Bravo!

[Cheryl M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well I did get a few gems from this book, overall I felt it was too general and too vague. Much of the ideas were based on common sense and we’re not particularly enlightening.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great information in an easy read format. I tagged about 20 pages to return to.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good guide for thinking through the use of space as a third teacher.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read with ideas for creating a learning space with and for your students.

[Dpalange44 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the concept and the way it was written. Easy to navigate with SPECIFIC IDEAS I CAN DO NOW. So many books are theory. This one has step by step instructions, tips, tricks, and ideas about how to make it fit my classroom.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of an appetizer than a meal

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Layered in depth each time you read it.

[Pernille Ripp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how it made me think about the intentionality of our space and did not just give new checklist to follow

[Chris Lehmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful guide to educators who want to investigate how space impacts learning. I am going to use this book to offer mini-grants to teachers who want to transform their space.

[David Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good, a guide to moving away from very traditional classroom structures and to how to involve students in redesigning these spaces