We can help create a safe and supportive learning environment by thinking about how we organise classrooms and learning spaces. This is particularly when children and young people have experienced the challenges of conflict and/or displacement.

In this step, we offer suggestions on how we might organise learning spaces to promote safety, security and confidence among children and young people as they learn. The classroom, being the microsystem, is possibly the place where, as the teacher, you can have most influence on how a student feels and acts as they learn. This is where you might be able to help reduce the effects of education as victim and perpetrator, and bring education closer to becoming a liberator and/or peacebuilder, through the ways in which you plan your teaching.

Over to you

Read the documents about creating safe and supportive learning environments and classroom management in the Downloads section.

In the forum below, reflect on your own classroom organisation practices. Consider questions such as:

• How do you currently organise your classroom environment?

• How do you establish boundaries that create a positive and safe environment for learning?

• Have you noticed any positive or negative effects of your classroom organisation on student behaviour and learning?

• Have you read any suggestions from others on the course that could help you improve your own teaching practice?

• Share your reflections and insights in the comments and suggest one idea that would work in your classroom that someone else might be able to use.

© UCL and the Inclusive Education Foundation (CoMOOCs Team), CC BY 4.0

Downloads