Case studies on the transition from traditional classrooms to innovative learning environments: Emerging strategies for success
by Raechel French, Wesley Imms, Marian Mahat
This study identifies common themes in the successful transition from traditional to innovative learning environments of four schools, two in New Zealand and two in Australia.
The four schools were selected from a group of 822. They were some of the minority of schools in the group that met the success criteria used in the research.
The themes that emerged in the study are:
culture – cultivating reflection and risk-taking
nudges – designing enabling constraints
structure – embracing new procedures and systems
expectations –establishing norms and ensuring accountability.
The themes are interconnected and work together to build for a successful transition. They are unpinned by a focus on strengthening teacher-teacher relationships and trust.
“Future schools need to be intentional about the design of the space and provide the culture, nudges, structure and expectations to enable educators to successfully shift practice.”
Reflective questions
- How might teacher relationships need to develop prior to moving to an ILE? How long would you allow for this?
- What physical and organisational changes might help shift familiar behaviours and previous ways of working?
- What might a day of learning look like in your ILE? What would students need to manage the changes?
Reference
French, R., Imms, W., Mahat, M. (2019). Case studies on the transition from traditional classrooms to innovative learning environments: Emerging strategies for success. Improving schools, doi.org/10.1177/1365480219894408
Further information
Guide to ILEs – Inclusive Education website
