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# How do I set up my classroom environment?

This article helps you create a physical classroom environment that supports digital portfolios, reflective learning, and peer collaboration in SpacesEDU. We've broken it into three steps.

###### Step 1: Create Your Physical Learning Environment

**Set up the technology**
Make sure students have easy access to a personal or shared device so they can build their portfolio as learning happens. If devices are shared, create a simple reference sheet with steps for logging in, logging out, charging, and storing the device.

| 💡 Tip: Set up a charging and device station in your classroom. Include headsets for students recording audio or video for their portfolios.

**Design a reflection space**
Designate a quiet area in your classroom for reflection. Add poster prompts or sentence starters to help students self-assess their work.
In the first month, model self-assessment for students and introduce how the reflection space works. [Learn more about using portfolios for metacognition](https://spacesedu.com/en/blog/digital-portfolios-metacognition/)

**Set up a collaborative workspace**
Create a space where students give each other feedback. This can be the same physical space used for reflection.
Post a rubric for peer feedback and examples of constructive, encouraging comments. This helps students understand expectations before they comment on each other's posts in SpacesEDU.

| 💡 Tip: Schedule a class-wide peer feedback session early on. Post a Teacher Post in SpacesEDU walking through the peer review process (how to use the rubric, how to give constructive feedback).
---

###### Step 2: Set Classroom Expectations

**Define digital citizenship**
Work with your students to define what digital citizenship looks like in your classroom. [12 tips for helping students keep a positive digital footprint](https://www.teachthought.com/the-future-of-learning/11-tips-for-students-tomanage-their-digital-footprints/) is a good starting point for language and concepts.

**Outline portfolio expectations**
Share clear expectations with students covering:

| Category | Questions to answer |
| ---- |
| **Frequency** | How many posts per week or month? How many assigned activities? |
| **Timing** | When are students expected to work on portfolios (class time, home, or both)? |
| **Communication** | How should students ask questions? What hours are you available? How quickly will you respond? |
| **Feedback** | How often will you provide feedback? What form (written, video, audio)? |
| **Routine** | What does the weekly rhythm look like? When do students upload, reflect, and share? |

| 💡 Tip: A simple weekly rhythm might look like: assign an activity on Monday, send a check-in message mid-week, and provide feedback by Friday. Consistency helps students stay on track.
---

###### Step 3: Consider All Learners

**Spark creativity**
Let students choose how they share their learning. SpacesEDU supports photos, videos, audio recordings, files, and text. When students pick their own medium, they communicate their ideas better and feel more ownership over the process.

**Encourage peer mentoring**
If you have tech-savvy students, give them opportunities to help their peers navigate SpacesEDU. Peer mentoring builds problem-solving skills, strengthens relationships, and deepens understanding of the subject matter.

| 💡 Tip: Pair experienced students with newer users during the first week of portfolio setup. Even informal check-ins between peers reduce the number of questions coming to you.

###### Good to Know

* Setting a routine early helps students stay focused. Even 10 minutes per week for portfolio uploads builds the habit.
* You don't need to do everything at once. Start with one Space, one routine, and expand from there.
* For remote or hybrid setup, see [How do I set up a remote learning environment?](https://help.spacesedu.com/en-ca/article/how-do-i-set-up-a-remote-learning-environment-1dg3hlu/)

**Now comes the fun part!**
It’s time for you to schedule a date to introduce students to portfolios. Read on in the [Getting Started](https://spacesedu.crisp.help/en-ca/category/getting-started-88j0l2/) section of our Help Center for tips on how to succeed.