This paper investigates the origins of the Open Education movement in the United States and traces its development throughout the twentieth century. Pioneers of the movement are discussed, with an extensive description of John Dewey's work provided. Political and social forces which affected Open Education throughout the century are described. Finally, current trends in education are examined to determine whether Open Education remains in practice. Conclusions and implications for classroom practice are included.

By the spring of 1972 Beaverton School District had five open space schools in operation and three others under construction. These schools are built without separate, individual classrooms. Space is more flexible and can be used in a number of ways. Open space buildings provide the setting for a new kind of teaching and learning process. Within the Beaverton School District, the Department of Administrative Services was requested to provide information regarding the operation of the open space teaching and learning process. As a result a plan was developed for a descriptive study of some aspects of open space as practiced in the Beaverton School District. The study was begun in March, 1972 and will continue through June, 1973.This paper is an interim report; the final report will be written upon the completion of the study. The presentation will describe the theory of open space, the overall plan of the study, the research design, and the data which has been collected through June, 1973.

Syfte: Öka kunskapen om vilka bostadskvalitéer som tillför värde för brukarna i ett flerbostadshus. Metod: Etnografisk ansats, dokumentanalys, kvalitativ innehållsanalys, intervjuer med brukare och inredningsarkitekt samt observationer är metoderna som har använts i studien. Resultat: Målet med studien har varit att analysera öppna planlösningars utformning i ett flerbostadshus, baserat på perspektiv och åsikter från både arkitekt och brukare. Värdeskapande kvalitéer som brukarna ser med öppen planlösning är öppenhet och ljus. Den öppna planlösningen är en stor social yta vilket både brukare och arkitekt tycker är en viktig kvalité. Idag har köket utvecklats till en trend och statusmarkör vilket återspeglas i dess design och utformning. Konsekvenser: De studerade planlösningarna är flexibla eftersom brukarna själva kan bestämma funktion för rummen. Kök och vardagsrum möbleras och får olika funktioner beroende på brukarnas preferenser och åsikter. Vidare ska lägenheter med öppen planlösning vara socialt hållbara genom att kök och vardagsrum ska kunna skiljas av. I studien är de stora lägenheterna socialt hållbara medan de mindre saknar möjlighet för avskiljning och flexibilitet. Begränsningar: Studien går inte applicera på andra brukare för att få fram samma resultat. Studien lyfter brukarnas åsikter om sin bostad och det finns inte ett generellt giltigt svar i deras värderingar. Flerbostadshus med hyresrätter valdes för att i större mån nå brukare i olika åldrar och med olika bakgrund. / Purpose: To increase the knowledge about valuable housing qualities for residents in a housing estate. Method: An ethnographical approach was used as a method in the study along with document analysis, qualitative content analysis, interviews with residents and an interior designer along with observations. Findings: The aim of the study has been to analyse open plan solutions in a housing estate based on opinions and perspectives from residents and an interior designer. The open plan solution works as one big social area where qualities such as space and brightness are highly appreciated by both residents and the interior designer. The kitchen has through its design become a trend and a status marker. Implications: The analysed plan solutions are flexible because the residents have the opportunity to decide what function the room should have. The kitchen and living room can be furnished in different ways and through those fulfil different types of functions according to the residents’ preferences. Apartments that have open plan solutions need to be socially sustainable which can be achieved if the kitchen and living room can be divided into separate rooms. The big apartments in this study are socially sustainable but the smaller apartments are not because of the lack of flexibility. Limitations: This study cannot be applied on other residents in order to come to the same conclusion. The study focuses on the residents opinions about their home and therefore there is no generally valid answer. The reason for choosing housing estates for this study was to be able to reach residents with different backgrounds and ages.

The problem of this study was to determine the relationship between experience in open-space and/or traditionally constructed elementary schools and teachers' attitudes toward open education. Statistical analysis of the data used to test the hypotheses resulted in the following findings. 1. Teachers who were currently teaching in traditionally constructed schools had significantly more positive attitudes toward open education than did teachers currently teaching in open-space schools. 2. Teachers who had taught only in traditionally constructed schools had significantly more positive attitudes toward open education than did teachers who had taught only in open-space schools. 3. Teachers who had taught in both open-space and traditionally-constructed schools had significantly more positive attitudes toward open education than did teachers who had taught only in open-space schools. 4. Teachers who had taught only in traditionally constructed schools had significantly more positive attitudes toward open education than did teachers who had taught in both open-space and traditionally-constructed schools. 5. Teachers who had taught ten years or more had significantly more positive attitudes toward open education than did teachers who had taught less than ten years.

Bakgrund: Tidigare forskning indikerar att höga ljud i öppna kontorslandskap har negativ inverkan på kontorsanställdas prestation och välmående på arbetet. Trots att flertalet studier har gjorts kring olika kontorsmiljöer finns inte mycket forskning om hur ljud i öppna kontorslandskap påverkar behovet av återhämtning efter arbetstid. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att undersöka i vilken utsträckning upplevelsen av höga ljudnivåer och störande ljud på arbetsplatsen har samband med behovet av återhämtning efter arbetstid, bland anställda som arbetar i öppna kontorslandskap. Metod: Metoden bestod av en kvantitativ enkätstudie av tvärsnittsdesign. Behovet av återhämtning mättes utifrån en kortversion av Need for Recovery (NFR) Scale. Ljudnivåer och ljudstörningar mättes utifrån formuläret Ljudstörningar och höga ljudnivåer i arbetsmiljön. Enkäten skickades ut till kontorsanställda på 16 olika arbetsplatser runtom i Sverige, varav sammanlagt 61 respondenter medverkade i studien. Resultat: En hierarkisk multipel regressionsanalys visade ett positivt samband mellan höga ljudnivåer, ljudstörningar och återhämtningsbehov. Ett signifikant samband (p < .05) kunde konstateras mellan ljudstörningar och återhämtning som var oberoende av ljudnivåer. Däremot påvisades inget signifikant samband mellan ljudnivåer och återhämtningsbehov oberoende av ljudstörningar. Slutsats: Resultatet indikerar att störande ljud i öppna kontorslandskap har betydande påverkan på behovet av återhämtning efter arbetstid. Även om inget signifikant samband mellan prediktorvariablerna och utfallsvariabeln kunde påvisas kan ljudnivåer ändå vara betydande för upplevelsen av störande ljud och behovet av återhämtning. För att kunna dra kausala slutsatser är fortsatt forskning genom prospektiva studier nödvändigt. / Background: Research indicates that open plan offices are accompanied by high noise levels which have a negative impact on performance and wellbeing at work. However, little is known about how noise levels and noise annoyance associate with need for recovery (NFR) among employees in open-plan offices. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between experiences of high noise levels, noise annoyance and need for recovery among open-plan office workers. Method: The study was performed with a cross-sectional design. Need for recovery was measured with a short version Need for Recovery (NFR) Scale and noise levels and noise annoyance was measured with Noise Annoyance and High Noise Levels in Work Environments. The questionnaire was sent out to 16 workplaces in Sweden and contained responses from 61 employees. Results and conclusions: Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed a positive association between experienced high noise levels, noise annoyance and NFR. A significant (p < .05) association was found between noise annoyance and NFR, independent of noise levels. However, no significant association was found between noise levels and NFR when both predictors were included in the same model. Results suggest that noise annoyance, compared to noise levels, has a more important impact on NFR. Even if no significant association were found between both predictors and the outcome variable, noise levels might influence the experience of noise annoyance, and therefore also be important for NFR. However prospective studies are needed for causal inferences.

This study focused on a single alternative school program with a strong outdoor component and featuring a theoretical and practical orientation very much concerned with personal relationships. Data were sought regarding this program with the intent of developing possible formats for alternative school programs. The case study approach was employed to gather and report data. It permitted the investigator to observe, interact, and record the multiple phenomena. The Theory of Personal Process was the framework utilized to observe the relationships between student and teacher. This theory was made up of five key words: (1) Contact, (2) Consult, (3) Find, (4) Share, and (5) Accompany. The study detailed the personal school relationships of the students and teacher. The investigator, as participant/observer, was the instructor of each of the five students. The investigator maintained records of interaction with the students. Furthermore, he had access to journals, term papers, and other written materials produced by the students. Each case study was presented as a specific phase of the alternative school. A specific student was described as he interacted with others in that phase of the program. The description of the student's relationship with the teacher was also correlated to the Theory of Personal Process. Optional formats for alternative school programs were developed from the case studies. The program featured the following phases: (1) Orientation, (2) Group, (3) Outdoor Experiences, (4) Classroom, (5) Creativity, and (6) Community. The key to the success of each phase was determined to be the relationship between the teacher and student. This relationship fostered a support basis for the student which, in turn, provided the necessary freedom to learn. The school was not so much an educational unit as it was a social unit, a "family."

Abstract Purpose: Important for house manufacturers is to keep track of specific customer preferences and priorities to have products that matches these. If a manufacturer does not have a product that fits the customer priorities, manufacturers will lose customers both before and during the process has started. The goal of the study is to report what house manufacturers should prioritize in the floor plan design of prefabricated two-storey houses. Method: The study has been conducted with a variety of methods. In order to study customer preferences and priorities a survey was made for potential house byers and interviews with house manufacturers sales agents. To get an overview about the changes that are most commonly performed, an analysis of documents on two of Götenehus house models was made. Findings: The results of the study show the kitchen's high priority among potential house buyers. Clearly shows that, above all, the social spaces in the form of kitchen living and dining room is generally very high priority among the general population In Stockholm. The study also shows that these rooms were desired with a relatively large surface area. It was also very unusual for these rooms to get reduced space. Unlike the social spaces, the private spaces hade ha wide range of demands. Above all, the bathroom and the master bedroom had highly prioritized. The other bedrooms were however generally one of house buy’ers lowest priority. In general, the service areas were shown to be the lowest prioritised rooms. The laundry room was desired to be large with great storage units, but were rarely executed as wanted. Implications: The social space, master bedroom and the bathroom has a great importance for customers in Stockholm County. House manufacturers should prioritize these rooms. In contrast, house manufacturers should not prioritize room as office and WC/D. Doing so, house manufacturers can offer customers a product that minimizes the impact on costs by changes. Limitations: The study deals only with prefabricated detached two-storey houses. The study does not include factors such as finance, property space or family constellations. The study was limited to the Stockholm County because of the concentrated market for two-storey house. The gathered information was not extracted prior ten years. / Sammanfattning Syfte: Det är viktigt för hustillverkarna att deras produkteker är anpassade efter hur kundernas önskemål ser ut och hur dessa prioriteras. Ifall produkterna inte uppfyller kundernas värderingar kan det leda till att företaget både tappar kunder innan och under köpprocessen. Målet med studien är därför att redovisa vilka rum hustillverkare bör prioritera vid planlösningsutformning av prefabricerade tvåplanshus. Metod: Studien har utförts med ett flertal metoder. För att kunna studera kundernas önskemål och prioriteringar, utfördes en enkätundersökning mot potentiella husköpare, samt intervjuer med Götenehus säljagenter i Stockholm. För att få en överblick kring vilka ändringar som är mest förekommande utfördes en dokumentanalys på två av Götenehus husmodeller. Resultat: Studiens resultat visar att potentiella husköpare prioriterar de sociala utrymmena kök och vardagsrum högst i bostaden. Kunderna har stora önskemål om stora och öppna ytor. Generellt i de privata utrymmena är det önskemål om stora ytor. Däremot prioriterades de privata rummen olika av kunden. Framför allt har badrummet och föräldrasovrummet en hög prioritet medan de övriga sovrummen tillsammans med allrum-met och arbetsrummet prioriterades betydligt lägre. Överlag var serviceutrymmena lågt prioriterade av kunderna. Det fanns önskemål om väl tilltagna ytor i tvättutrymmet men det var inget kunderna var beredda att förändra. Förvaringsmässigt var det endast i föräldrasovrummet som kunderna önskade en klädkammare. I resterande rum som önskan om förvaring fanns, räckte det med en garderobslösning. Konsekvenser: Bostadens sociala utrymmen samt föräldrasovrummet och badrummet har en stor betydelse för kunderna i Stockholms län. Dessa rum bör hustillverkare prioritera vid utformning av planlösningen. Däremot bör hustillverkarna inte prioritera rum som arbetsrummet och WC/D vid utformningen. Görs detta kan hustillverkarna erbjuda kunderna en produkt som minimerar kostnadspåverkande ändringar. Begränsningar: Studien behandlar endast prefabricerade fristående villor i två plan. Studien omfattar inte faktorer som påverkar hur en planlösning utformas som exempelvis ekonomi, tomtyta och familjekonstellationer. Studien begränsades till Stockholms län eftersom denna marknad är stor för tvåplanshus. Studien är tidsavgränsning till 2006 vilket är en 10 årsperiod.

The purpose of this project was to develop an open education kindergarten curriculum guide utilizing learning centers. This curriculum guide consists of a discussion of specific aspects of implementation of learning centers and a detailed analysis of twelve learning centers. Whether learning centers are implemented gradually, moderately, or totally, the following factors are essential to consider prior to implementation: physical environment, materials, classroom management, evaluation and record keeping, and parental involvement. The following learning centers are discussed in-depth with respect to goals, objectives, enabling activities, and materials and supplies: math, science, language arts, social studies, art, music, block building, dramatic play, sand and water, woodworking, cooking and sewing, and movement. Successful implementation of learning centers in kindergarten appears to be a result of the implementing teacher's attitude toward open education. The attitude of openness is vital in order to successfully develop and implement learning centers.

Inledning: Arbetsplatser  är den mest utvecklade arenan för att förebygga sjukdom. Stress som sjukdomstillstånd i arbetsmiljön har blivit allt vanligare. Tanken med studie är att se om det går att förebygga  både stress och psykisk ohälsa på arbetsplatser med hjälp av en teknisk uppfinning, ett hälsoarmband. Metod: Systematisk litteraturöversikt där elva vetenskapliga artiklar använts som grund till resultatet. Artiklarna analyserades, bearbetades och granskades för att nå tillförlitlighet i resultatet. Resultat: Resultatet visade på flertal metoder och möjligheter att identifiera riskfaktorer i ett tidigt stadium hos arbetstagare, med hjälp av hälsoarmband eller annan teknisk utrustning och på så sätt förebygga stress och psykisk ohälsa. Diskussion: Hälsoarmbandet kan vara en arbetsmetod för kommande generationer som ska ut i arbetslivet och även för dem som redan befinner sig där. Det är en innovation som kan utvecklas vidare. / Introduction: Workplaces are the most developed arena for disease prevention. Stress as a disease condition in the work environment has become more common. The idea of this study is to see if it is possible to prevent both stress and mental health at workplaces with the help of a technical invention, a health bracelet. Method: Systematic literature study, in which eleven scientific articles were used as the basis for the result. The articles were analyzed, processed and reviewed to achieve reliability in the result. Results: The results showed several methods and possibilities for identifying risk factors at an early stage in employees, using health bracelets or other technical equipment, thus preventing stress and mental illness. Discussion: The health bracelet can be a working method for future generations who are going to work and also for those who are already there. It´s an innovation that can be developed further.

This study discusses employees’ perception of a rather new and progressive office type, namely the Activity-based Flexible Office, the A-FO. Within this office type, the employee does not have a personal desk, but instead changes workspace depending on the task at hand. The aim of the study was to examine how employees perceive this type of office and their experiences of working within it. In previous research, a model has been created within this field as an attempt towards a theoretical framework, the A-FO-M. Whereas studying this model, we saw some notions not being thoroughly explored, although mentioned in other preceding research. Thus, the need of exploring these aspects further felt vital and therefore, we combined the A-FO-M with other preceding research and created a synthesis with a set off our themes. A qualitative method was chosen and furthermore, a phenomenological approach. This approach suggests examining a certain phenomena, the A-FO in this case, based on the experiences and perceptions of an individual, the employee. Interviews were implemented on a specific company to succeed in reaching our aim. The six interviews completed gave us the empirical results we needed to attain an analysis and thereafter, conclusions. Overall, our findings correspond with the presumptions of the A-FO-M. However, due to Klarna having a certain structure, somewhat differing from the traditional A-FO, the results were contradicting in some cases. The majority of the respondents felt they were able to perform their task without major problems. Some respondents felt that the office made them more open, while others did not feel any impact on their persona in relation to the A-FOs features. Our findings support that the A-FO is a very sociable office type, whereas you constantly meet and interact with people, both known and unknown to you. The respondents appreciate that there is little distance between them and their managers. Additionally, it is found that managers within A-FOs need to have high trust in their employees. Conclusively, some results may be somewhat dependent on the individual and their preferences.