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open classroom

American  

noun

Education.
  1. a spacious instructional area shared by several groups or classes in elementary school, permitting more individualized, less supervised project learning and movement of pupils from one activity to another.

  2. a method or system utilizing such spacious classrooms and informal, flexible formats for learning and discussion.


Etymology

Origin of open classroom

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The inside of the school will offer more open classroom and meeting spaces, incorporate large windows and natural light, and have a commons for gathering and eating.

From Seattle Times • May 3, 2023

On a dreary Wednesday, in an open classroom, the young men and women had volunteered to be there.

From New York Times • Aug. 8, 2015

Similar targeted lessons were being used by other teachers and students working together, in small groups, in an open classroom the size of a cafeteria.

From Slate • Feb. 19, 2015

This idea, like the open classroom, has a kernel of truth but is not a panacea.

From Washington Post • Jun. 7, 2012

Moss was pushed, and he banged his elbow on his open locker door, and students poured out around them, some coming from open classroom doors, others from various hallways.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro