Teacher Perceptions of Innovative Learning Environments: Implications for Leaders

Abstract

Innovative Learning Environments are increasingly built and implemented in schools, but are not necessarily being used according to designers' intentions. The goal of this study was to examine teacher perceptions of the innovative learning spaces they were charged with using and to determine if they were being used effectively and as designed. The research was guided by three basic questions: what were the teachers' perceptions of these spaces, was the teacher pedagogy need to change to accommodate the space, and did the teacher feel support by campus leadership. The fourth research question centered around the goals and vision of the design team that created the innovative learning space. The crux of the issue was that the districts vision for the space came to fruition once the teachers were in the actual space with the students. This qualitative study interviewed seven teachers in the educational setting and separately interviewed the design team. The results indicated that some of the teachers were unaware of the definition of an innovative space and believed that they were utilizing the space in ways that met the designs of the campus leadership. Furthermore, teachers felt the new designs caused a classroom management issue as well as safety and security concerns. The design team felt that teachers needed more training on how to use the innovative spaces and that they were not being used as intended. To inform future school and district policies as well as educational leadership practices, more work is needed around what types of training might be more effective in helping teachers make a pedagogical change if assigned to an innovative learning environment.