This research aims to assess the impact of school layout designs and physical representations on the sociopsychological experiences of children. The study was conducted on 118 schools in Al Ain, comprising 37 private and 81 government schools. Using Google Maps, we captured bird's eye views of each school and utilized AutoCAD for detailed analysis and visual representation. Data collected included school layout elements like buildings, sheltered areas, trees, parking, concrete sports areas, and green sports areas. By imagining potential student experiences in these environments, we developed a qualitative grid of 15 elements related to school layout. Each student in the research team filled in the grid based on their school experience. A bipolar scale was established to categorize the experiences elicited from the qualitative grids. Key findings reveal that most schools in Al Ain are not effectively using their outdoor spaces. Recommendations for improvement include raising awareness about the importance of outdoor spaces, conducting needs assessments, involving students in the planning process, providing resources for enhancements, and regularly evaluating outdoor spaces for effectiveness. The study uses the Repertory Grid Technique (RGT) to generalize the findings from schools in Al Ain and sets the stage for more extensive data collection from a larger audience. This work contributes to the ongoing conversation

Authors:
Ahmed Agiel, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates
Nour Agiel, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates
Nihal Hakim, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates
Maitha Al Ahbabi, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates
Yara Mohammed, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates
Sarah Aljaberi, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Ahmed Agiel is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at United Arab Emirates University in United Arab Emirates

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