What is a Learning Wall and Why is it Important?

Also known as unit overview displays, learning walls are a big buzz word in education right now. For example, you frequently see them featured on Pinterest, Instagram and there are even Facebook Groups dedicated to photos and examples of learning walls. If you’ve ever wondered whether this is something you need to implement in your classroom, this post is for you. In the following sections, we’ll discuss the purpose of a learning wall and provide templates to help you get started.

What is a Learning Wall?

A learning wall, or unit overview display, gives students a clear and concise snapshot of what they will learn and how to succeed. Specifically, it serves as the central reference point for the unit, offering students a dedicated space to reflect on past lessons and examples of success.

Typically, a unit overview display highlights information about the unit as a whole, rather than focusing on individual lessons. For instance, it might include:

• Learning Intention: Clearly define what the unit will teach.
• Success Criteria: Specify how students will achieve success.
• Assessment: Explain how you will measure and mark achievement.
• Modelled Exemplars & Work Samples: Provide examples of quality work.

Additionally, learning walls may also include:

• Student goals for the unit
• Vocabulary and definitions
• Posters for key concepts
• Student Data: A Bump It Up or Student Progress Display

By visibly displaying these elements, you create a consistent and reliable reference point, helping students easily locate guidance when needed.

Why are Learning Walls Important?

Learning Walls are predicated on the theory of Visible Learning by John Hattie. According to Hattie, there are three prominent teaching strategies that lead to the best outcomes for students; success criteria, feedback & formative assessment. To achieve these outcomes, being transparent about the content, assessments, and methods for achieving success is essential.

Furthermore, learning walls visually guide students, keeping them informed and engaged. By including elements such as assessment details, success criteria, and modelled exemplars of quality work, you help students prepare for assessments and understand their goals. With this approach, nothing surprises students when it’s time to demonstrate their learning.

Learning Wall Templates

🔑 Looking for an easy way to create a learning wall?🔑See my Page Free Educational Resources for a page filled with✨free templates✨ that you can use for a Learning Wall.

Here are a few popular templates:

Unit Overview Display

This Unit Overview Display is a colourful, floral design that has been designed to be printed and laminated. Once laminated, you can use a dry erase marker to write the specific unit information. They can then be reused next term.

This display includes:

• Title: Our unit is called
• Learning Intention: We are learning to
• Success Criteria: What I'm looking for
• Examples: At Level, Above Level, Below Level

This is an editable Canva template that you can download for free.

Bump It Up Display

This illustrated, rocket-space-themed template tracks student progress through different levels of success criteria. Use this display to motivate and visually track growth.

This display includes:

• Title: Bump It Up Progress Tracker
• Learning Intention
• Success Criteria
• Success Levels: Ready to Launch, On Your Way, Flying High, Amongst the Stars
• Rocket Name Tags

This is an editable Canva template which you can download from here.

Goals Display

This hot air balloon-themed template allows you to display individual student goals in an engaging, visual format.

Use it to:

• Record personal goals
• Celebrate achievements
• Keep goals visible to reinforce accountability

Have Your Say

• Have you used learning walls in your classroom? How effective was it in driving student results?

• Do you have photos that you'd like to share?

• How have you used learning walls with your students?