Imagination in school childrenʹs choice of their learning environment: An Australian study

A visual research project addressed school childrenʹs concepts of ideal learning environments. Drawings and accompanying narratives were collected from Year 5 and Year 6 children in nine Queensland primary schools. The 133 submissions were analysed and coded to develop themes, identify key features and consider the uses of imagination. The childrenʹs imagined schools echo ideas promoted by progressive educators. The results of this study suggest benefits for school designers can emerge from the imaginative contributions of children in creating engaging environments, while educational policy makers can benefit from childrenʹs ideas in the promotion of engaging, student-centred pedagogies.