Design and learning are intertwined. It is more important than ever (after the COVID-19 disruption and amidst a transition back into in-person learning) that we consider the needs of students and staff in the context of the spaces where learning takes place. Designing learning environments that embrace our students’ psychological, physical, physiological, and cognitive needs will be critical as we plan for today and prepare for tomorrow. This session will look at the needs of future education spaces, highlighting the requirement to create spaces where students can say “I belong”, “I’m secure” and “I’m inspired”. Presenters will discuss design strategies that will influence the learning environment and how these can impact our students’ educational experience.  

Learning Objectives:

1. Review how the pandemic is giving us the opportunity to rethink how we “do school” with a critical eye on students’ social emotional well-being.
2. Define 3 interior design strategies that will influence the materials, functions, and features of the future classroom.
3. Connect the dots between these design strategies and student learning and outcomes.
4. Evaluate spaces for inclusivity (I belong), accessibility (I’m secure) and functionality (I’m inspired).

Patricia Cadigan, M.Ed., Director of Learning Environments
As a veteran teacher and school administrator, Patricia is passionate about learning. From young children to adults, she believes we are learning every day and we need to make the most of it.
She is passionate about providing the best opportunities for students. Working in public schools for 28 years, she observed and supported the many ways students learn. As each year clicked along, it was apparent that there was a growing divide between student engagement and the delivery of content and relevant resources. As a school bond director, she was asked to transform learning environments to meet the needs of students and teachers. She had to connect the dots between teaching, learning, and resources in the classroom. Even though the work was challenging, she learned first-hand that the design of a classroom makes a difference in how teachers teach and how students learn. In the past 18 months, she has researched and written continuously about the need to rethink our classrooms for the future.

Rick Joutras, Senior Designer, Q Design
Rick is a multidisciplinary designer with an eye for innovation. He has worked as a chef, an interior designer, a product designer, and a project manager. In fact, he does all of those things today. His skill set continues to expand with every new creative venture. Rick grew up just north of Chicago, IL (where he spent most of his days in a pool or sketching in a notebook) and graduated from the University of Michigan (where he spent more time in the pool and sketching in a notebook). He graduated with joint degrees in industrial design and organizational psychology. Following a brief flirtation with cooking, he was launched back into the world of design where he has loved every creative minute. Rick led the team who developed Artcobell’s NXT MOV Seating.