Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Candidate of Architecture, Isfahan Art University, Isfahan, Iran

2 Department of Architecture, University of Art, Isfahan, Iran

3 Department of Architecture, Iran University of Science & Technology, Tehran, Iran

4 Department of Educational Sciences, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Considering the effects of open school spaces on students, the aim of the study was to provide guidelines for designing school open spaces to enhance the level of emotional intelligence and learning in primary school children. This can be done through increasing the level of motivation and providing the appropriate space to play. In this research a quantitative-qualitative research method is applied. Also, the Delphi system of gathering data is used to produce content-table and questionnaires. According to Kline, the sample size is calculated around 326. Teachers and school designers were questioned using randomized cluster sampling. The data was evaluated in SPSS software program version 22 using R factor analysis to produce analytical model in Amos. The results of the research indicated that physical aspects of space including: natural and diverse elements, spaces with cultural functions, semi-private (with supervision) and flexible environments, spatial diversity, space for different types of play and diverse connections between open and close spaces affect the changes of emotional intelligence in schoolyard. Thus, it was concluded that school open spaces are physical sites as well as social sets. Students’ behavior, abilities and space applications can be affected by spatial characteristics in school yard and lead to acquiring emotional abilities

Keywords

  1. Baccarat, M., Sheltie, B., & Shamsipur, H. (2006). The relationship between emotional intelligence and academic achievement of students. New ideas of education,  2 (3-4), 84-73. [In Persian]
  2. Bell, A., & Dyment, J. (2008). Grounds for health: The intersection of green school grounds and health promoting schools. Environmental Education Research, 25(2), 77-91.
  3. Ciaruchi, J., & Forgas, J., (2006). Emotional intelligence in everyday life (JN Zand, Trans.) In Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence (H. Baluch, Trans.). Qom: Rokh-e-Mahtab. [In Persian]
  4. Costa, A., & Faria, L. (2015). The impact of emotional intelligence on academic achievement: A longitudinal study in Portuguese secondary school. Learning and Individual Differences, 37, 38-47. doi: http:// dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2014.11.011.
  5. D.Mayer, J., Caruso, D. R., & Salovey, P. (1999). Emotional inteligence meets tradiional standards for an inteligence. Inteligence, 27(4), 276-298.
  6. Davies, R., & Hamilton, P. (2016). Assessing learning in the early years’ outdoor classroom: examining challenges in practice. Education, 3(13), 1-13. doi: 10.1080/03004279.2016.1194448
  7. Elmore, R. F. (2004). School reform from the inside out: Policy, practice, and performance: Harvard Educational Pub Group.
  8. Fägerstam, E. (2012). Space and place: Perspectives on outdoor teaching and learning. Linköping University Electronic Press. 
  9. Feizi, et al., )2010(. Formation of landscape design criteria for open school areas. Tehran: inistitude of Modernization and Equipping Development.[In persian]
  10. Fenoughty, S. (2002). The landscape of the school ground - outdoor education: Authentic learning in the context of landscape (place based) literary education and sensory experience.
  11. Gifford, R. (2007). Environmental psychology: Principles and practice: Optimal books Colville.
  12. Hawkins J. D., Catalano R. F., Morrison D.M., O'Donnell, J., Abbott, R.D., & Day, L.E., (eds.) (1992). The Seattle social development project: Effects of the first four years on protective factors and problem behaviors. An earlier version of this chapter was presented at the Society for Research in Child Development, Kansas City, Missouri, Apr 1989; Guilford Press.
  13. Elias, J., Hunter, L., Jeffrey, S., & Kors, S. (2006). Emotional intelligence and education in everyday life, scientific research. Tehran: Sokhan. [In Persian]
  14. Kamelnia, H. (2009). Grammar of designing learning environments: Concepts and experiences in design: Preschool Centers, Schools, Universities; Sobhan Noor.[In Persian]
  15. Khodapanahi (2014). Motivation and excitement. The Organization for the Study and Compilation of     Humanities Books of Universities (Samt). [In Persian]
  16. Kline, R. B. (2005). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling, 2nd ed. New York, NY, US: Guilford Press.
  17. Medeiros, J. (2011). Educative landscapes: Informal learning and landscape architecture. Urban Play Garden, MLA.
  18. Mirrahimi, S., Tawil, N. M., Abdullah, N. A. G., Surat, M., & Usman, I. M. S. (2011). Developing conducive sustainable outdoor learning: The impact of natural environment on learning, social and emotional intelligence.
  19. Mirmorady, S. (2012(. An optimal communication between inner and outer space in elementary schools to promote child's communication. Science and Technology.[In persian]
  20. Noddings, N. (2005). What does it mean to educate the whole child? Educational Leadership, 63(1), 8.
  21. Rickinson, M., Dillon, J., Teamey, K., Morris, M., Choi, Y. M., Sanders, D., & Benefield, P. (2004). A review of research on outdoor.
  22. SamiiAzar, A., (2000). The concept and function of open spaces in traditional and new schools. Sohfe, 10 (31), 104-11.[In Persian]
  23. Sanoff, H., & Reinhold., V. N. (1994). School Design. New York.
  24. Silberman, C. (1973). The open classroom reader. New York: Vintage Books.
  25. Strongman, K. T. (2003). The psychology of emotion (Vol. 5). England: Wiley.
  26. Szczepanski, A. (2011). Outdoor education: Authentic learning in the context of landscape (place based) Literary education and sensory experience. Perspective of Where, What, Why, How and When of learning.
  27. Szczepanski , A. (2002). Environmental education: An overview of the area from a Swedish/Nordic perspective (Vol. 2). Sweden Linköpings University.
  28. Taylor, A. P., & Vlastos, G. (1975). School Zone: Learning environments for children.
  29. WAKemp, A. H., Cooper, N. J., Hermans, G., Gordon, E., Bryant, A., & Williams, L. M. (2005). Toward an itegrated profile of emotional inteligence: introducing a brief meaure. Integrative Neuroscience, 4(1), 41-61.   
  30. Zins, J. E., Payton, J. W., Weissberg, R. P., O'Brien, M. U., Matthews, G., Zeidner, M., & Roberts, R. D. (2007). Social and emotional learning for successful school performance. The science of emotional intelligence: Knowns and unknowns. Series in Affective Science, 376-395.