The fourth article in our series about the four key learning zones – distinct areas designed for specific learning tasks - looks at a space designed for reflection. In previous articles we looked at Gather, Collaborate and Explore Zones which, depending on how you use them, are usually active, agile spaces that variously encourage participation, teamwork and discussion.

This time we’re creating an oasis of calm.

Why you need a Reflect Zone

Classrooms are often busy places, full of energy and noise, but sometimes we need a quieter space, somewhere we can escape the noise and concentrate. Creating a Reflect Zone provides an area students can go to focus on a task and give it their full attention, or simply escape the hubbub and exhale.

What it’s for:

The Reflect Zone is a space where learners can sit and think away from the energy and noise of the other learning spaces. An ideal place for individual reflection on work and feedback it’s also perfect for reading and working independently or in small groups. Because it is visually and acoustically separate from the main teaching space it’s useful for one-to-one teacher student conversations.

Why it works: the neuroscience bit

Our inability to suppress auditory input can be damaging to attention as it makes it difficult to suppress distractions – in other words we ‘can’t hear ourselves think’. A quieter space for thinking, reading or even meditating can improve concentration simply by making it easier.

Design Elements

A Curvpress® Okinawa Group Meeting Pod with upholstered seating and circular, freestanding central table with LearningSurface®. The outside walls of the pod can be used as a LearningSurface® touchdown area, which, because you are facing the outer pod wall, creates another space with fewer distractions by suppressing visual input.

If you’d like help designing a Reflect Zone for your classroom, we’d be delighted to help!