The Effect of Flexible Classroom Space on Attitudes and Grades in a Team-Based Learning Course

Flexible learning spaces are common features of newly built elementary and secondary schools, but little research has been conducted on flexible learning spaces in higher education. Spaces allowing for social learning have been found to increase student engagement; engaged students receive higher grades and tend to have better attitudes about the class. To better understand the effect classroom space has on student learning and experience, we designed a study to compare a flexible learning space with an inflexible one. Results suggest that classroom flexibility matters, but not in the ways we may expect. We discuss our findings on student attitudes and learning outcomes. We also provide some recommendations for designing effective classrooms to balance financial and practical realities while still supporting a positive classroom experience