An Investigation of the Architectural Development of Classroom Design in Iranian Primary Schools Based on Modern Teaching Methods (2001-2021)

Problem statement: 

Children are required to continuously experience and learn, and the space of classrooms should be able to govern the sensory and mental powers of students and improve their learning ability. The research question addresses the shape and design of the elementary classroom and its effect on the quality of teaching methods to determine the most appropriate one.

The study aims to investigate the current classroom environment of elementary schools and its influence on the quality of modern educational methods in Iran.

This is descriptive-analytical research using the content analysis method to analyze the data from library resources, and interviews from the field. The sample included four primary schools in Tehran during the years 2001–2021. The theoretical foundation of the study also points to the influence of spatial design and the shape of the classroom on teaching methods.

According to the results, the elementary classrooms in Iran during the years 2001-2021 have had square and rectangular shapes with vertical and linear directions; the teaching methods in these classes are mostly based on individual, lecture, and discussion methods, which among them, group discussion is considered as the most appropriate one. But unfortunately, due to the linear and axial position of tables, benches, and other equipment in elementary classrooms, this method is not often used by teachers, and the two other individual and lecture methods are more applicable. Moreover, classroom furniture, as one of the architectural components of the classroom, had a significant influence on education. Therefore, it can be concluded that the geometrical shape and the space layout of elementary school classes have a significant role in improving the quality of teaching methods to choose the best one.