Teacher-led Inquiry in School Learning Environments

Teacher-led inquiry in school learning environments is the critical and systematic analysis of pedagogical practice in flexible and agile learning environments that teachers undertake as researchers of their own practice. It is an iterative approach, combining theory and practice, operates over reasonably short time spans and involves substantial collaboration and participation amongst peers. Akin to action research, it works most effectively when it is combined with evidence on what works (and what works well) and what does not, specifically as it relates to student learning outcomes. In this introductory chapter, the authors synthesize scholarly research to set the context for teacher-led inquiry in school learning environments. The authors discuss the challenges and opportunities for schools and educators embarking on evidence-based teacher-led inquiry as a powerful form of professional learning for contemporary teachers.

Students have a unique perspective on how learning space design impacts their school experience (Cook-Sather, 2006). As a result, schools need to be intentional about capturing student voice and feedback throughout the design process. For learning environments to be responsive to the needs of students, schools must enact an inclusive, inquiry-based approach to design.

In this chapter, the authors describe the role that student voice played in an inquiry-driven, iterative process of designing and implementing innovative learning environments in the Middle School at Singapore American School. Through sharing three concrete examples of different data collection methodologies and the changes that emerged as a result of the feedback, the authors outline the power of intentionally centering student voice and experience in designing learning environments. School leaders will learn practical tools to use and a roadmap to follow to create a more inclusive, responsive process of learning environment design, whether engaging in small-scale renovations or planning a whole school. While this chapter focuses on applying this inquiry cycle to learning environments, the process described can equally be used to center student voice in other school change initiatives.

Action research by three teaching teams to build the capacity of teachers, in preparation for the transition from a traditional heritage building to a new innovative learning facility, forms the basis of this chapter. The new building consisting of four storeys with seven innovative learning environments that support a wide range of teaching and learning opportunities challenged the teams to rethink their pedagogy and embark on a new and exciting journey. The story notes the challenges faced and the successes achieved as well as further action research once established within the new learning environments.

Chapter 4, ‘Plan–Act–Observe–Review’ focuses specifically on the need to understand and develop teacher collaboration prompted by the introduction of new shared learning environments. The chapter talks about three key school strategies which were developed through a process of school inquiry and why it was felt they were needed. It highlights the need for coherence and consistency across school and includes lots of useful takeaways for readers.

The first intervention, Collaborative Teaching Models, focusses on the structures that help teachers and support staff understand how to work together. The second intervention, Communication Strategies, investigates the cultural changes required because of the elevated human interactions involved in collaborative teaching. The third intervention, Strategic Meetings, is a combination of structural and cultural change, found to be advantageous due to collaborative teaching.

Stonefields School is an innovative school at the base of Maungarei, Mount Wellington, in Auckland, New Zealand. Doing things differently, creating and inquiring are at the heart of what we do as teachers.

At Stonefields, we have the opportunity to do this collaboratively, and hubs of teachers collaborate to create engaging, rich and relevant learning opportunities for our learners. We have a range of assessment tools at our disposal which help us to gain insights into our learner's self-efficacy (how they see themselves as learners) and their learning needs. We actively enquire into the impact of teacher practice and have evidenced how teacher collaboration can enable all of our learners to see success.

In this chapter, the authors explore how teacher collaboration in learning environments can help improve teacher practice. The authors will examine how facilitating deliberate collaborative inquiry in learning environments can allow teachers to notice, recognize and respond to learner needs. This, in turn, can lead to improved learner self-efficacy and improved achievement outcomes.

The development of innovative learning environments at the new Viscontini primary school started with the research and development of a sense of belonging to the new building. Initially, it was indeed difficult to get used to the new, spacious learning spaces, reformulating a different teaching approach than the classic traditional method based on frontal classroom teaching. Teachers and students were therefore able to identify and deepen, thanks to the support of the National Institute for Documentation, Innovation and Educational Research (INDIRE) Institute and the University of Milan Bicocca, the fundamental relationship between all learning environments (indoor and outdoor) and a teaching approach closely linked to the diversified use of the building's spaces. All the learning environments (entrance hall, atriums, corridors, laboratories, garden, playground, etc.), which were initially bare and aseptic, were given attention, analysed, developed, filled and finally fitted out and decorated, fostering a sense of physical and mental appropriation of the new school.

Rural indigenous schools in Malaysia can be far from equipped with facilities and conducive learning environments, especially in schools serving a large and diverse community. SK RPS (Rancangan Penempatan Semula/Resettlement Programme) Banun is an all-indigenous school located in the interiors of Gerik, Perak in Malaysia. Being the only school in the vicinity of an Orang Asli settlement comprising 18 villages of the Je hai and Temiar tribes, this public school is said to be a one stop hub for the community. Despite the school's existence, there are several challenges which hinders children of the Orang Asli community to attain a quality education or in some cases to even go to school. This paper is written based on the lived experiences of three teachers from mid-2022 to mid-2023 and amplifies the day-to-day challenges of the school and its community. The paper also discusses the initiatives implemented to tackle some of the challenges, highlighting key successes and suggestions to improve some areas particularly in enhancing and reimagining pedagogical approaches as well as learning environments in Orang Asli schools in Malaysia.

Globally, contemporary school learning environments are being transformed to incorporate innovative designs and pedagogies, digital technology and new ergonomic furniture – often ‘un-classroom-like’ in their form but can more readily accommodate the needs of 21st century learners. In this concluding chapter, key strategies, themes and ideas presented by contributing authors are presented. Linking the discussion of the book to the changing context of education and design, this chapter provides insights and reflections for supporting educators and learners to more effectively use the learning environments as a pedagogical and learning tool.