Spatial Organization and Furnishing of the School Classroom: the Initial Development Period (ХІІІ–ХVII ct.)

The aim of the research. The study is aimed to identify and characterize the features of the spatial organization and furnishing of the educational facilities of the European mass schools at the initial stages of their formation and development (approximately ХІІІ–ХVII centuries). Research methods. Historical-cultural and comparative methods have been used. The source base includes artworks of the period depicting a school interior. In addition, written sources of the period and the results of contemporary historical and cultural studies have been largely involved. Scientific novelty. The features of spatial organization and furnishing of school classes in the initial period of the development of mass school education in Europe (approximately ХІІІ–ХVII сt.) are systematically described for the first time, the key stages of mentioned period are highlighted. Conclusions. The initial period of development of spatial organization and furnishing of school space is limited by ХІІІ–ХVII centuries. The key features of this period are as follows: a) spatial organization of the class, suitable only for individual work of students, b) the use of nonspecialized furniture (household chairs, benches and tables). Three stages can be distinguished in this period. The first stage (ХІІІ–ХVI centuries) is characterized by the equipment of a teacher’s place only (chair-cathedra and table or bookrest). The second stage (ХVI–ХVII centuries) differs from the first one by the introduction of writing workplaces for pupils, as well as demonstration equipment (blackboards, tables, appliances, etc.). The spatial organization of the class has a spontaneous character. In the third stage (from the middle of the ХVII ct.) there are first attempts to introduce systematic organization, zoning of the classroom space, development of functional centers of different purposes, fixing the pupils’ workplaces. Equipping the classroom with frontal-oriented rows of specialized pupils’ furniture (tables with oneside workplaces) in the ХVIIІ ct. could be treated as the sign of the transition to the next period