Inside PanelPicker: Trends in Learning Space Design

The community and Advisory Board voting in PanelPicker has officially ended, but there's still a lot of interesting insights to glean by examining the proposals for SXSW EDU 2018. One of the standout tracks our team has noticed is Learning Spaces. Of the 17 tracks selected for SXSW EDU 2018, Learning Spaces received the seventh most submissions at 81 (5.7%) across 11 formats. In addition, learning space design was mentioned in the descriptions of submitted sessions aligned to the Equity, Implementation, Instruction, Continuing Education and Informal Education tracks. The Learning Spaces track is also unique in that it’s inclusive of both formal spaces like classrooms and informal spaces like libraries.

Two high-level takeaways from the Learning Spaces track submissions are design impact and learner agency. Educators and design enthusiasts now understand the need for flexible and effective learning spaces and are collaborating on best practices to execute these spaces. And at the heart of these discussions and collaborations is the learner.

Design Impact

Thoughtful learning space design has a big impact on student participation, collaboration and success. In PanelPicker we are seeing educators, school leaders, librarians and architects share their processes and experiences with redesigning learning spaces that foster engagement, creativity and confidence within students.

Learner Agency

Learner agency refers to the learner being at the center of the decision making and design thought processes giving learners an active role in their education. A unique thing about Learning Spaces submissions this year is that learner agency is inclusive of all learners including adult, virtual and non-traditional learners.

Ways to Participate

Learn by Design is SXSW EDU’s design competition showcasing design solutions for learning space challenges at every level. Find out more about Learn by Design and begin your application here.

Discover More

PanelPicker community voting has concluded but you can still browse through all of the ideas submitted for SXSW EDU 2018. Login to panelpicker.sxsw.com or create an account to continuing exploring trends.

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Registration and housing for SXSW EDU 2018 are now open. Early birds get the lowest rate on registration and the best selection of downtown hotels.

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SXSW EDU 2017 Playground. Photo by Benedict Jones.