Does Design Affect Learning?
Modern schools in Finland
Students from Finland routinely place higher than most on international reading, math, and science tests. Could their academic achievements have anything to do with the design of their learning environments? Members of Finland’s education ministry believe so, explaining that the environment and design of the schools in Finland are more supportive of learning than traditional factory-style schools. A traveling exhibit at the Finnish embassy in D.C. displays the design of seven Finnish schools that were opened within the last 11 years. They exemplify a new look for schools in Finland: a move away from factory-style buildings to modern, spacious campuses with clustered buildings and lots of space for gatherings both indoors and outdoors. The abundance of open spaces allows for easy sight lines for adult supervision (thus potentially combating the type of bullying that has been in the news here in the U.S of late).