Inclusive learning environments

Learning environments should aim to engage learners, make participants feel welcome, and give everyone an equal opportunity to participate—that is, they should be inclusive . To create an inclusive, safe, and accessible learning environment for diverse and differently abled participants, the following aspects should be considered:

1. Physiological inclusion
   (lightning, acoustics, temperature, air quality, accessibility)
2. Cognitive inclusion
   (multiple means of representation, expression, and engagement)
3. Cultural inclusion
   (increase social belogingness in verbal and visual content and visual design).

Holeton, R.  2020. Toward Inclusive Learning Spaces: Physiological, Cognitive, and Cultural Inclusion and the Learning Space Rating System.

Accessible learning spaces

Making spaces accessible for people with different needs is not the same as making spaces inclusive. The principles of universal design (UDL) aim to make products, buildings, or environments usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. The seven principles of physical learning spaces of UDL address the following points:

Equitable use, Flexibility in use, Simple and intuitive use, Perceptible information, Tolerance for error, Low physical effort, and Size and space for approach and use.

Flexible learning spaces

The JISC guidance provides some excellent ideas and materials to stimulate discussions in your own team and beyond. The document considers such important themes as flexibility; future-proofing; innovation and creativity; as well as support for learners.

The content of the document “Designing spaces for effective learning“ includes chapters on:

• Designing 21st century learning
• Transforming learning experiences
• Entrances
• Teaching spaces
• Vocational teaching spaces
• Learning centres
• Social spaces