A user interface (UI) is crucial to get right. You want something simple to use so the user can easily navigate your website or device. A good user experience also applies to navigating a building or area, which includes your classroom. How can we make a classroom friendly to your students and maximize their productivity and comfort? This article will examine some considerations to make your classroom more user-friendly for your students.
Allow for multiple configurations of furniture or workspace
An engaging classroom involves multiple ways to learn. Sometimes you’ll need students to listen, and other times you’ll need them to collaborate. Arranging furniture must seamlessly transition between these learning times so students don’t become bored or distracted. One way to make this easier is to have furniture that’s easy to move and fits together nicely. That means having furniture with wheels, desks that fit together like a puzzle piece, or a separate area conducive to collaboration or other activities like art. No matter what, you’ll want your space to be flexible to accomplish any unique activity.
Complement your light-colored walls with colorful signs and directions
Any website worth your time will have intuitive navigation and headers so you know where to go and what to do. The same idea goes for the classroom and how you design it. Not only does adding color to a light-colored classroom help make the room warm and inviting, but having contrast and noticeable signs will help your students know where things are in the room. If they need something from the classroom, will they know where it's located? Depending on the age of your students, a noticeable label will also help them learn about new words or how to communicate well. Having signs that will enforce a positive atmosphere in the room, while easy to understand and see, will make your classroom a joy to use.
Keep everything neat and organized
Walking around a messy room can be a demoralizing experience. Finding a particular item you may need in a room cluttered with dozens of objects is difficult, especially if it's your first time in a room. A similar experience can happen to your students, especially at the beginning of the school year. You’ll want to create organizing and cleaning habits for your communication efforts to not be in vain. With a clean room, you’ll have fewer distractions, making it easier for students to concentrate. Is there a designated area to put homework assignments or where to pick up important documents such as permission slips? Are there dedicated containers to take and put supplies in? Have everyone work together to keep the classroom clean and well-organized.
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Our world is constantly optimized, whether you notice it or not. We're looking for efficiency from our technology to grocery store trips to even the school day. In the end, it all comes down to proper communication, which is what a great UI is all about. The more you and your students value communication, the better their school experience will be. As American psychologist Rollo May put it, "Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing."