Review: Learning Environment for 21st century

My school was built around 1980s. We are celebrating our twentieth anniversary this year. The physical state of the school is dismal. When my male colleagues received the devastating news that we will not be selected for PRIME for the next seven years, their hopes of a new male staff toilet are destroyed. I fully sympathise with them because it is worse than the public toilets. There is only one cubicle and the toilet bowls are choked often. The students' toilets are none the better.

After reading this article, I just cannot agree more that architecture, layout, decor and facilities shapes the learning environment. In recent years, the transfer rate of the Secondary One students to another school is increasing. I feel that the physical environment is the one of the key factors pushing them away. If you step into a classroom in my school, you will have a chance to admire our students 'personalised' tables and chairs. They certainly left their marks whenever they go such as 'Bel sits here in 2007.' At one time, the window panes were removed by students. It was easy to remove because the hinges were rusty. Still, I feel that the school is making an effort to upgrade and maintain the facilities.

I begin to compare the psychosocial and physical aspects of learning environment, in relation to the overall learning environment. Since I am Mathematics teacher, I wonder if these equations will hold true. In the case of third and fourth equations, I feel that psychosocial needs are higher needs in Maslow's hierachy of needs. The higher needs in the hierarchy only come into focus when the lower needs in the pyramid are satisfied. However, the individual never regresses from one level to a lower one (Maslow). Thus, this is how I devise these equations.

1. psychosocial(positive) + physical(positive) = overall (positive)
2. psychosocial(negative) + physical(negative) = overall (negative)
3. psychosocial(negative) + physical(positive) = overall (negative)
4. psychosocial(positive) + physical(negative) = overall (positive) ?