'Intentional design' means taking into consideration how students learn when designing learning environments to enable their success. The following research looks at whether there should be learning goals associated with planned projects; if pedagogical goals were...

This week we’re diving into a book whose content is very close to our heart: ‘Redesigning Learning Spaces’. It explores how learning-space design can positively impact classroom learning, the culture of a school, healthy communities, and systems and...

Part Two of a Three Part Series: Following on from Part One and the recent interview with our CEO, Bridgitte Alomes and Douglas Magazine – this is the second part of sharing our better learning manifesto diving deeper into how it guides our company vision...

Many educational leaders are finding that traditional forms of education are not keeping students engaged, nor assisting students in taking responsibility for their own learning or providing opportunities for students to work together. Equipping learners with the...

Part One of a Three Part Series: You may have read the recent interview with our CEO, Bridgitte Alomes and Douglas Magazine - it has inspired us to go deeper into our story about why Natural Pod does what it does. Manifesto: a public declaration of policy...

Research shows that ‘green’ schools provide better environments for learning because they keep students healthy and increase their focus, attention span, and memory. When teachers were asked to rate the importance of certain school features regarding sustainability...

You may have heard the term ‘Green Ribbon Schools’. The Green Ribbon Schools prestigious awards program was created by the U.S. Department of Education in 2011 with the aim of recognizing select K–12 schools, K–12 districts and postsecondary institutions...

When it comes to being an authority on transforming learning spaces you may have heard of Dr. Robert Dillon. He's worked with many teachers on how to make their classrooms more student-centred and learner friendly and has co-authored a book about the...

Today’s students are digital natives, meaning they were born with sophisticated technology, and will never know what it’s like to live without it. Digital literacy, however, demands more than just understanding how to use technology; it requires the ability to think...

Why when there’s so much focus on the benefits to children of being outside in a natural environment, is there so little focus on extending those same benefits within classrooms?We recently visited a school that had a beautiful amazing outdoor space with...

Many educators are recognizing that students sitting at rows of desks for the majority of the day while a teacher lectures at the front of the room is not optimal in developing skills that foster students’ personal growth in communication, collaboration,...

Most teachers usually have the ability to change the desk configuration of their classroom. Sometimes rows work for formal instruction. Sometimes a circular formation works to conduct a class-wide conversation or other activity. And sometimes, clusters of desks allow...

The most common school and classroom renovations aimed to provide opportunities for flexibility and collaboration include adding chalk or whiteboard walls, collaborative work spaces and flexible furniture. This research compares teachers views on these modifications,...

Earth Day is a date in time where we are called to meaningfully reflect and think about ways we can all lead more sustainable lives, to do our utmost to protect this incredible planet and the life it sustains. Although 'Earth Day' is a highlighted...

As many of you know the Green Schools 2019 Conference just took place and Natural Pod was a proud participate, exhibitor and sponsor of the event. Bridgitte Alomes, our CEO, and team were there, as always they were hugely excited by everything that is happening in the...

For a classroom to foster 21st-century learning styles, it needs a 21st-century classroom design with multi-purpose spaces and connected learning areas that support movement, student choice, and a collaborative environment. Educators were asked to rank the importance...

Natural Pod is getting ready to attend The 2019 Green Schools Conference and Expo starting on April 8th in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Bridgitte Alomes, our CEO and team members are exhibiting at the conference along with many other inspiring leaders in...

A unique opportunity occurred where researchers were able to study whether environmental design does actually improve learning: Within the Houston area, Texas, VLK Architects had the chance to design two replacement elementary schools at the same time. Both schools...

Classrooms and educational spaces come in a variety of configurations that often teachers have no control over, from traditional rectangular rooms to open plan environments. But educators are able to have a big impact on how the space is experienced by...

Today is the 'International Day of Forests'. Most people would not necessary know this, but it's a meaningful reminder of some very important issues and the ways to navigate them - particularly in regards to environmental education. Every 21...

Teachers who work in schools where recent construction or renovations were completed were asked to grade the outcome of the changes through various focus areas: the impact on school culture, student retention, student engagement, staff relationships, classroom...

Most large school districts serve high density/high growth areas and have a continuing need for new construction or renovation within their schools to keep pace with the growing student population. But the reality is many districts, mainly due to funding...

Recent research has been examining the connection between learning environments and learning outcomes: A team consisting of a pioneering designer, a design educator, and a researcher have worked to ‘prove’ that the design of learning places matter. Mounting...

As Marie Kondo, the famous Japanese organization consultant is taking home decluttering by storm, many teachers are also implementing the process to create better learning environments for their students. Kondo uses a method called ‘KonMari’ which is about tidying up...

Recent research respondents were asked if their classroom environment is conducive to 21st-century learning, which was described in the survey as “learning that includes collaboration, digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving.” The types of...

Thank you to all of you who recently entered our Natural Pod newsletter subscription contest! Subscribing to our newsletter gave you a chance to be entered to win a pair of our beautiful, new, sustainably made Natural Pod Stools. They are the classroom stool you’ve...

Research surrounding how we interact with the spaces we spend time in is not a new concept. In recent years, studies have shown that the work environment can impact certain factors like stress levels. Similar studies are beginning to examine educational environments,...

Find the inspiration you need to do your best work in education this year. When you're looking for inspiration to help transform your learning environment, or perhaps you need help inspiring your colleagues to start projects that you know your education organization...