Transferring pedagogical spaces: Schoolyards as learning environments in the perspective of students and teachers

Abstract

At school, inside and outside spaces, defining an educational milieu, are important for teaching and learning, for students' and teachers' well-being and motivation in class. These are all important factors for successful teaching and learning. Even outdoor space and schoolyards may have such an influence. It is necessary to involve students and their views of educational space in any school spatial design and planning process. We examine students' views on schoolyards and outdoor areas. Approximately 8.000 students completed questionnaires between 2005 and 2011 regarding their satisfaction with, and their understanding of the importance of their schoolyards. The students also described their activities there. We found that students prefer schoolyards with differentiated zones of action and silence, correlating with spaces defined as public and private. These results differ between primary and secondary school students and further between girls and boys. We also surveyed approximately 360 teachers with a questionnaire concerning size, equipment and design of schoolyards. Although we could not match the data of the two surveys, we could find related and interesting convergences. In considering that schoolyards and outdoor areas around schools are important educational and recreational spaces for students and teachers, the aim of this chapter is to highlight transforming processes in the use of schoolyards. Based on the perspectives of students and teachers, we aim to show key notions for the educational design and use of schoolyards as a possibility for school development, and for further research in this field.