ERIC Number: EJ1452311
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Dec
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1387-1579
EISSN: EISSN-1573-1855
"This Space Is Definitely a Difference": The Effects of a New Building on School Climate
Learning Environments Research, v27 n3 p777-796 2024
The design of a school's physical space can improve student climate, influencing not only teachers' work, but also students' learning experiences. This evaluative case study of a rural U.S. school district's reform efforts was theoretically grounded in a four-dimensional school climate model. The author conducted an inductive thematic analysis of interview data with staff, students, and community members, and conducted classroom observations and a review of documents. The district's move to a new building affected and was affected by organizational changes, and together, they influenced staff culture which impacted students' learning experiences. Specifically, the new building influenced teaching and planning practices; cultivated opportunities for a communal staff culture; fostered opportunities for student collaboration; facilitated student autonomy over their learning; and improved student and teacher morale. As U.S. school districts examine the need to upgrade their physical facilities, they should consider how changes to physical spaces can also promote changes in school climate.
Descriptors: Rural Schools, Educational Facilities Design, Educational Facilities Improvement, Educational Environment, Teacher Attitudes, Teacher Morale, Instructional Development, Student Attitudes, Cooperative Learning, School Personnel, Employee Attitudes, Community Attitudes, Teaching Methods, Teacher Collaboration, Organizational Change
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2123/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A