Influencing Behavior with Classroom Structure

The retail industry spends millions on retail design that engages customers while also imprinting key concepts on customers influencing their purchases and their behaviors while shopping.  As a former sales trainer, I am interested in this and am learning more about using the same principles in influencing behavior in my classroom.  Don't believe me?  Take a look at this:  

https://www.q20lab.com/retail-environment-design-upcoming-trends

Think about this:  When you go out to eat on date-night, you usually go to a restaurant that isn't a fast food place.  Fast-food restaurants work hard to get your money quickly while luxe restaurants look forward to you sticking around a bit more.  Consider how differently the two types of eating establishments convey their purpose and impact your behavior.  Fast food has bright colors, bright lights, a menu that is usually posted somewhere, comfortable but not too comfortable seats.  Date-night restaurants have different lighting, different textures and most of all a different price point and selection.  C'mon, admit it:  you act differently in one than the other.  And you're supposed to.  These spaces are designed to influence your behavior and buying practices.  

As I reflect on this, I think about how poorly used most educational spaces are.  Too often, the emphasis is on decoration not design.  Yet this is one of a teacher's most valuable tools - their classroom that can impact a student's ability to learn and engage.  Over the next few posts, I'm going to share ideas, including some from my own, that are designed to capture and engage students for learning.