Classroom/Teaching space sizes - how does it effect the pupil ?

[m19834]

I have recently shifted my main, private teaching space from my bigger room to a smaller room.  In my opinion, some amazing differences are taking place in both the rapport between pupil and student, as well as the ideas that the students seem to be grasping.  These differences seem to me to be very positive.

This has started me thinking even more on how our atmosphere effects the learning environment.  I started wondering if anybody here has tested various environments out on your students, and if you have, what have you observed as the results ?  I am not positive if I am responding differently to the environment or if my students are responding differently, or both !  There is more than the size of the room that goes into creating an environment, but right now the size in particular is quite interesting to me !

It is a bit different for everybody, but I am noticing some generalities that seem to be happening for most.

Thanks,
Karli

[pianochick93]

I believe the smaller the class size the better, in most cases. it enables the teacher to spend more time on each students' needs, advance some who need it, and spend more time explaining to those who don't quite get it yet.

[m19834]

Hi Pianochick, thanks for your reply.  I am actually talking solely about the physical space when I am talking about classroom size (and I am talking mainly about private teaching, so, one-on-one) -- I have found that this seems to set an atmosphere that can be effective for the student (and the teacher).  I have recently changed from a bigger room to a smaller one and have found some differences in the way the lessons go and in the rapport that I have with my students.  I personally find this to be fascinating, but I think I am alone on this one  !

[timothy42b]

Don't assume the effect was on the students until proven!  It may just be that you teach better in a smaller room.  <g> 

[keypeg]

Would it be correct that "classroom" refers to a room where a number of students (a class) is taught, while a private room for teaching one or two individual students is called a studio?  I would think that a small room is cozier.  However, I was once in a room that resembled a large closet and the effect was suffocating.

Out of curiosity, would room size affect the way the instrument resonates against the walls?  In fact, can the acoustic properties of a room (drapes, carpets) affect student and teacher?  Does environment in general have an effect?

[m19834]

One thing that I have experienced is that some of my kids have opened up to me more.  They have talked with me about things that they may be struggling with in their lives and things that they don't even talk with their parents about.  It may be just coincidence that this has happened after we have moved into a smaller room with a closed door, but I think it's related.  I think they feel "safer" in this room and that it allows them to take more risks.  Now, to an extent this happened in the bigger room, too, but not in the same ways (and not with the same students in this case).  I think their experience here feels more personal for them (and for me) in a smaller space.

I also think that we are generally more focused than before because of how I have the instruments situated and because of the fact that it's a bit of a smaller room and has a closed door -- we are there for one main reason and that is to learn and experience sounds and music.  When they walk into this room, they know this.

As far as the room size and resonating factor of the instrument, the size of the room doesn't affect the way the instrument resonates, but it affects the way the sound resonates and the way the room resonates.  That is why some pianos are considered to be "too big" for certain households and certain rooms, and bigger pianos are generally considered to be better for bigger spaces.  As far as the rest of the acoustics affecting student and teacher, I would say that they would, of course, similarly to how these things affect an audience's experience in a performance Hall. 

I have kind of accepted that the environment we teach in does (or *can*) have an effect, so that is not really my question (though, for people who have never considered it, I guess it's a good one).  My question is more along the lines of how the environment effects us.  So, to bring it exactly back to this thread, I have been curious what people's experiences have been with room sizes and how it has seemed to effect the teaching/learning experience.

Thanks.

[nyonyo]

You need different way of teaching a classroom format.
If you are not trained, most likely you will fail.
You cannot expect a student learning in a classroom format to have the same skills as those of privately taught students.

Group lesson is an easy way to make money for a piano teacher. This work well for little kids. Adult usually will not like this type of environment, that is why Yamaha Music Education is not succesful in its adult program.

[keypeg]

Nyonyo, K uses the word "classroom" but means "studio" - a room in which one student is taught.  The question is whether the physical size of the actual room will affect the teaching atmosphere, and if so, how and why.  Did I interpret the question correctly, Karli?

[m19834]

hmmmm... well, why can't a classroom be for private teaching ?  There can be classes of one student (these are the types who are in a class of their own  ).  Anyway, yes, I am talking about physical space, but it doesn't have to be limited to private teaching.  It can be a group of kids, too.

[slobone]

Speaking strictly as a student, the only space that I found downright intimidating was a college classroom where I took private lessons from a music professor. I felt like I was undergoing an examination every time I sat down to play.

My favorite space was my last teacher's house. The room where she gave lessons was small but sunny and cheerful. She always made me feel like an honored guest in her house, which put me in a good frame of mind right from the beginning.

Not like my first teacher, whose maid always brought her a cup of tea while I was playing. Never did she ask me if I wanted one. I mean, I was only a kid, but still...

[Petter]

I tend to think more about the light and smells (too much perfume?  ) then the size of the room. If we´re talking environments.

[john v.d.brook]

It may be that your studio is lighted differently.  I taught in a fairly compact studio for quite a few years, but it was extremely well lighted - not harsh, but the overall level of illumination was high.  Now, I am teaching in a space almost double my previous studio, but the lighting is much more subdued.  My feeling is that both teacher and student prefer the greater openness, but the subdued lighting may have somewhat of a negative effect.

[anna_crusis]

I started wondering if anybody here has tested various environments out on your students, and if you have, what have you observed as the results ?  I am not positive if I am responding differently to the environment or if my students are responding differently, or both !  There is more than the size of the room that goes into creating an environment, but right now the size in particular is quite interesting to me !Thanks,
Karli

I used to teach at a community centre and variously used four small, carpeted, sunny rooms which the kids loved. One day we had to move into a much larger room with hardwood floors and they hated it. I believe it was a kind of agrophobia. They preferred the cosiness of the smaller rooms.