An Evaluation of Non-Classroom Spaces of Private Elementary Schools in I·zmir: Investigating Facors Affecting Interactions Among Students

Abstract

This study investigates the role of non-classroom spaces of elementary school buildings where informal interactions among students take place in the example of private elementary schools in zmir, Turkey. The non-classroom spaces that students prefer during their free times are important in the way they facilitate peer interactions which may contribute to informal learning processes. The elementary school students' space and activity preferences were investigated in their free times by focusing on nonclassroom spaces of school buildings. Multiple case study method is used. The cases were selected among private elementary schools in zmir based on their educational programs and based on their characteristics of indoor and outdoor non-classroom spaces. Post-occupancy evaluation (POE) techniques were used to collect data. The research indicated that regardless of differences among schools, students want to interact with their friends during breaks. Students prefer to spend their free time at places that facilitate these interactions. This study provides a brief list of activities and places that students prefer during their free time. There is evidence suggesting that places where students prefer to spend time differ from one school to another in terms of indoors and outdoors. The research indicates that students involve in similar activities with different frequencies in schools studied and in case when students are given a choice between indoor and outdoor spaces with different degree of variety they are conscious of the difference and they tend to pick spaces which offer higher variety.