Student Choice in the Learning Environment - Jonathan Anderson

Teacher

Jonathan Anderson is a Math teacher at Jefferson High School. He uses a student-centered approach to teaching Algebra that allows his students more control over the time, place, path and pace of their learning.

Instructional Strategy

Jonathan’s classroom is arranged with flexible furnishings that support students’ strengths and needs by enabling choice in how and where they learn. He describes the use of flexible furnishings for a variety of activities:

• Collaboration: Chairs and tables on casters provide swift movement between group work of all sizes
• Attention: Chairs that swivel allow students to focus attention in multiple parts of the room during different learning activities
• Engagement: Multiple displays and large whiteboards spaces allow students to actively engage in presentations and problem-solving
• Focus: Ample seating options provide personal space for individualized tasks like independent work and summative testing
• Comfort: Adjustable and varied seating options provide comfortable accommodations for all students

Jonathan says the new furniture allows his to students to interact and receive information in more comfortable ways during class. He notes, “How a student feels in a classroom definitely plays a role in how they interact and engage.”

His students enjoy opportunities to rearrange their workspaces based on their learning goals. Students favor the standing height tables and soft seating. The swivel chairs, which afford movement and mobility, are also popular choices.

See What It Looks Like

• Photos from Jonathan’s classroom

Additional Resources

Bloomington Public Schools believes the design of the learning environment plays a role in supporting the transformation of instruction toward a student-centered learning experience.

• Flexible Learning Website