9 Study Carrel
Definition
A workspace surrounded by a physical barrier (permeant or temporary) to enable students to study/ work with fewer visual distractions.
In action
Create portable study carrels that students can choose to use when they are having trouble focusing on a task. Study carrels can be stigmatizing; it is important to describe the purpose and benefits of this tool and to normalize it’s use by allowing all students to have access to study carrels.
Support Strategies
- Describe benefits and purpose of study carrels and similar distraction-reducing strategies
- Allow students to test out study carrels and other related supports and describe their experience before using one on a regular basis
- Set up a study carrel in the classroom that students can request to use as part of flexible seating
- Equip the study carrel with tools and resources that students will need to complete their work
- Use sticky notes on the study carrel to remind students of success criteria or provide words of encouragement
Case Study
Student: Grade 3 student in a math lesson.
Content: Students are writing an assessment on addition and subtraction.
Problem: The student asks to work in a different room because they are feeling distracted by the other students around them, but no one is available to supervise them elsewhere.
Solution: The teacher sets up a study carrel for the student to reduce distractions.
Additional Resources
- Article outlining the benefits of having an organized classroom for students with autism spectrum disorder, including the use of study carrels with an example from Reading Rockets
- List of common attention-related learning barriers and setting accommodations- including study carrels from the IRIS Center
- Case study and sample video on the use of a study carrel from the Watson Institute
