Classroom Set Up

Student Needs

  • The opportunity to arrive late or leave early without embarrassment: an adult learner model recognizes that sometimes students have adult obligations
  • Recognition that many people (not just those with disabilities) have difficulty with concentrating for an extended period of time
  • Consideration for the wide of range of information processing speeds experienced by students

Solutions

  • When possible, configure the classroom so that the entrance/exit is at the back of the room.
  • Provide breaks in longer classes and change the pacing regularly.
  • Keep the format interesting by using images (including descriptions), jokes, setting topic in the broader context, noting human fallibility, etc.
  • Teach learning techniques.

More about the Mental Health by Design course.