Through the Eyes of Learners

It all started with trash cans. A discussion of where to store the trash cans, to be exact. Perspective is powerful. When trying to decide where to store the trash cans it probably isn’t uncommon to view them from the end of the driveway or even the street. The only way to recognize how others will see your trash cans is to take a look from their point of view.

This got me thinking about classrooms. Many first-year and veteran teachers are currently setting up their classrooms for the beginning of a new school year. I spend a couple days a week seated in classrooms as I supervise teacher candidates. Things look different from the students’ perspective. THAT is certainly an understatement. Let's just focus on the physical environment for the moment.

What might we learn about our classroom if we took a look at it from the students’ point of view? How many times have we sat in the students’ chairs and viewed the environment from their perspective? Even before we get to know our students it is powerful to think about how they will get to know us and the classroom we will share for the year.

Regardless of how much arranging and rearranging we do before the students ever set foot in their new classroom, let’s try sitting at desks and tables and on the floor at the gathering place to look at the view from the students’ perspective. Kneel down at the door and try to view the space through a student’s eyes.

What do you see?

Where are your eyes drawn?

What might distract you?

How does the view change when you change seats?

Will you look up above the board at all?

Is it too light or too dark?

Do you have enough space?

Looking at the classroom environment from the students’ point of view will help us be better and do better even before our students enter the classroom.

Still Learning, Doc G.