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Purpose: Schools have a significant role in ensuring children's wellbeing as children spend a lot of time at school. Students need to have an active role in their learning and an opportunity to participate in issues concerning wellbeing and studying. This research examines students' wellbeing in an innovative learning environment. The classroom is built with professionals, teachers and students (aged 9). The authors call it Learning Ground. Design/methodology/approach: Students' wellbeing was measured with smart device application for a six-week period. Students answered the questionnaire with a Likert scale of five (very poor – excellent) responses. Two weeks during the six weeks research period, students were able to use digital study aids, EEG-biosensor headsets, to observe the effectiveness of their learning, defined by NeurSky app. The EEG-biosensors enabled students to use a tool to recognise their own learning factors during the lessons. The effectiveness was available to students via tablets all the time. Findings: The students at the Learning Ground are satisfied with wellbeing and the environment support for students' wellbeing experience is notable. They have "good vibes" before and after the school day. When wearing EEG-headsets "study aids", which enabled them to observe their learning via tablets at lessons, the wellbeing experience in the mornings even increased. Originality/value: Schools need to be visionaries concerning 21st century learning and children's wellbeing. Building flexible learning environments and bringing innovative technologies into schools to provide active support for students will enable 21st century learning. Wellbeing of children should become first when developing the future schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Songdrawing method is a holistic music educational method especially for early childhood and primary school education where the combination of singing and drawing is used in creative learning sessions. The aim of this study was to identify teachers' perceptions of using Songdrawing in primary school. The research questions consisted of teachers' views on using the method, interacting with pupils, learning through the Songdrawing and developing the method itself. The study has been conducted with a qualitative research approach and the data was collected based on theme interviews. The data was analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results show that the method can be used in primary school teaching as single exercises, projects, in co-operation with different grade levels and in school interdisciplinary social functions. According to teachers' perceptions, the Songdrawing method helped with school and motor skills, cooperation, creativity and some emotional development. The study concludes that the Songdrawing method is versatile and can be used in primary schools as a part of teaching on various occasions and for different subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on kindergartens and schools as art educational environments. They were explored from three points of view: the physical environment, the social environment and the pedagogical environment created by the thinking and activities of teachers and artists. A multidimensional evaluation is used to analyse the data. (Interviews of artists and teachers (n=18), final reports (n=9), follow-up material from an art project in Helsinki beginning in 2000.) The project targeted children in kindergarten (3-6 years old) and in the first grades in school (7-9 years old) and included visual art, environmental art, literary art, drama, circus and architectural elements. School, kindergarten and the immediate surroundings offered an opportunity for a diversified cooperative achievement. The children proved to be skilful and significant members of society in carrying out their art projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]