‘The pupils decide for themselves on the best place to work together’

Mr Ruppaner, during our symposium, you shared some fascinating insights into everyday learning and teaching at the Alemannenschule Wutöschingen, a school renowned for its innovative approaches. You mentioned learning study spaces and marketplaces. Could you briefly explain what they are?

Stefan Ruppaner: Everything that happens in a space should be appropriate for that space. A study space is a place for quiet work, where you should be speaking in a whisper. To create individual workstations, we initially used simple wooden crates to create shelf space and as a rear wall on the tables. 

I suppose the atmosphere is a bit more lively in the marketplace?

Exactly. That is the space where we learn together. This is why we have fitted curtains to circular ceiling rails. Closing the curtains creates a separate space. These recesses can be reopened when necessary to create an open area. Anyone who wants to learn alongside others goes to the marketplace. 

…and, in keeping with your philosophy, they prefer not to sit on a chair.

No one would sit on a hard plastic chair for three hours at home either; we use sofas and comfortable furniture to make people feel at ease. Hard chairs are a relic of a time when discipline was the order of the day. In the marketplace, everyone chooses a suitable spot depending on the size of their group: on sofas, on cushions on the floor or at a table. The pupils decide for themselves on the best place to work together.

You also mentioned the input area as a further element.

You won’t see any blackboards here, just screens and a teacher giving a talk for no more than 20 minutes. These areas are often designed to be oval in shape to encourage discussion. There are no distractions such as pictures on the walls so we can focus fully on the person in front of us.

Speaking of distractions: how important are light, acoustics, colours and materials?

We use very muted colours in the sixth form. We make strategic use of colourful highlights such as curtains or carpets in areas where the focus is on communication and collaboration. However, the general sense of well-being in the space is far more important. That is why we use authentic, high-quality materials such as wood, glass and concrete, as well as attractive fabrics. We avoid using stackable plastic chairs and go for solid oak chairs or wooden benches instead. 

What practical tips do you have for symposium participants who are keen to redesign their learning spaces – but may not have the budget for it?

You don't have to get rid of the classroom entirely as a place for teaching. Sometimes just removing the blackboard is enough. You can easily create a study space using just a few boxes. 

Stefan Ruppaner spoke at the SCDH in early September during the multidisciplinary «Labor Schulraum» symposium. You can find everything you need to know about our offerings for evidence-based classroom design here.