"David Hutchison guides us through the thicket of understanding how place-based education solves many of the vexing problems facing schools in the 21st century. His book helps us celebrate the good initiatives that closely connect schools to their local landscapes and communities."
—David M. Sobel, Director, Education Department, Antioch New England Graduate School

"At a time when the experience of place can often seem more virtual than physical, Hutchison's message is essential: School space is not just architectural. In this era of standardization and homogenization, this book's focus on the importance of locality is especially significant."
—Joel Westheimer, University of Ottawa

This book considers the philosophy of place in education and everyday life, the history of and current trends in school design, the school infrastructure crisis, and the relationship between the philosophy of education and classroom design. Hutchison argues that pressures on schools associated with declining budgets, competing ideologies, and economic/technological shifts have the potential to radically alter the landscape of the K-12 school experience. He discusses strategies for mediating these pressures and strengthening a sense of place in education.

This groundbreaking volume:

• Explores the various ways "place" is constructed and conceived in education, using a historical, philosophical, psychological, and pedagogical lens.
• Discusses how the concept of place is taught to students in elementary and secondary schools.
• Suggests concrete strategies for enriching students' experience of place in school.
• Situates the future of place in education, including the rise of cyberschooling.
• Includes photographs of school settings and classroom designs.