Date of Graduation
Spring 5-21-2021
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Organization and Leadership (O&L)
College/School
School of Education
Department/Program
Educational Leadership
First Advisor
Seenae Chong
Abstract
The desire for achieving greater equity in education has been a prevalent topic of research, with many studies indicating that the current education system in this country is designed in a way that exacerbates initial inequities and has a negative impact on student motivation and engagement (EOCD, 2012). While existing scholarship mostly discusses equity and engagement through the lens of curriculum and instruction, the power of physical classroom environments and aesthetic elements present in those environments is less explored. With student populations becoming more diverse, there is a greater need for new tools for teachers to utilize in pursuit of greater equity in the classroom. Through the lens of equity pedagogy, this study examined the role of aesthetics in classroom design and the potential for aesthetic consideration to increase student engagement and equity. This research study examined the ways elementary and high school teachers employ aesthetic tools, and will analyze the similarities, differences, and comparable themes found across their shared experiences. The findings contribute to those of other studies, including the ways in which centering student feelings and integrating multisensory experiences can impact learning. The findings also prompt a new discussion on the connections between student engagement and equity, which looks at factors such as comfort, inclusion, motivation, and inspiration as potential influencers on the overall quality of the learning experience.
Recommended Citation
Barraza, Giuliana, "The Role of Aesthetics in Classroom Design: Implications for Engagement and Equity" (2021). Master's Theses. 1385.
https://repository.usfca.edu/thes/1385
Included in
Accessibility Commons, Aesthetics Commons, Applied Behavior Analysis Commons, Art and Design Commons, Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons, Buddhist Studies Commons, Cognition and Perception Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Educational Methods Commons, Educational Technology Commons, Elementary Education Commons, Environmental Design Commons, Humane Education Commons, Instructional Media Design Commons, Secondary Education Commons, Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education Commons, Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons, Urban Education Commons
