Review

BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH ON 21st CENTURY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

Volume: 4 Number: 1 May 22, 2026
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BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH ON 21st CENTURY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

Abstract

Education systems continuously evolve, resulting in significant changes in how learning environments are designed and perceived. Previous studies demonstrate that physical space directly influences student achievement; however, existing learning environments largely fail to meet the expectations of twenty-first-century education. This article examines the requirements of contemporary learning environments through a bibliometric analysis based on publications indexed in the Web of Science database. A search conducted on June 19, 2025, identified 2213 relevant studies. The metadata was analysed using Biblioshiny to examine frequently used authors’ keywords, temporal trends, and conceptual relationships through co-occurrence networks. Thematic mapping and trend topic analyses reveal core themes, emerging concepts, and active research areas related to twenty-first-century learning spaces. The aim of this study is to examine educational spaces from an architectural perspective and to bridge the gap between these fields. As a result of this examination, it has been observed that learning spaces are no longer considered merely “physical spaces”, but rather as a system component that shapes the learning experience. The findings suggest that existing learning environments need to be updated to meet the evolving demands of contemporary learners. Additionally, the results highlight the importance of expanding academic research, strengthening global collaboration, and prioritizing spatial innovation to enhance learning experiences and better prepare students for future challenges.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study did not receive any financial support for the preparation of the article or the research conducted.

Ethical Statement

This study which does not require ethics committee approval and/or legal/specific permission complies with the research and publication ethics.

Thanks

The study is human written. The authors conducted this study by interpreting the results of the analysis obtained on June 2025 from the Biblioshiny database.

References

  1. Anderson, T., & Shattuck, J. (2012). Design-based research: A decade of progress in education research. Educational Researcher, 41(1), 16-25. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X11428813
  2. Aria, M., & Cuccurullo, C. (2017). Bibliometrix: an r-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of Informetrics, 11(4), 959-975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007
  3. Caena, F., & Redecker, C. (2019). Aligning teacher competence frameworks to 21st century challenges: The case for the european digital competence framework for educators (Digcompedu). European Journal of Education, 54(3), 356-369. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12345
  4. Garcia, O., & Sylvan, C. E. (2011). Pedagogies and practices in multilingual classrooms: singularities in pluralities. The Modern Language Journal, 95(3), 385-400. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.2011.01208.x
  5. Jacobson, M. J., & Wilensky, U. (2006). Complex systems in education: Scientific and educational importance and implications for the learning sciences. The Journal of The Learning Sciences, 15(1), 11-34. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327809jls1501_4
  6. Joan, D. R. (2013). Flexible learning as new learning design in classroom process to promote quality education. Journal on School Educational Technology, 9(1), 37-42. https://doi.org/10.26634/jsch.9.1.2401
  7. Kariippanon, K. E., Cliff, D. P., Lancaster, S. J., Okely, A. D., & Parrish, A. M. (2019). Flexible learning spaces facilitate interaction, collaboration and behavioural engagement in secondary school. PloS one, 14(10), e0223607. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0223607
  8. Kariippanon, K. E., Cliff, D. P., Okely, A. D., & Parrish, A. M. (2020). The ‘why’and ‘how’ of flexible learning spaces: A complex adaptive systems analysis. Journal of Educational Change, 21(4), 569-593. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10833-019-09364-0

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Interior Architecture , Sustainable Architecture, Architecture (Other)

Journal Section

Review

Publication Date

May 22, 2026

Submission Date

January 16, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 29, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 4 Number: 1

APA
Hayek, E., & Özkan, H. C. (2026). BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH ON 21st CENTURY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS. Mekansal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 4(1), 134-152. https://doi.org/10.71298/maddergi.1864862
AMA
1.Hayek E, Özkan HC. BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH ON 21st CENTURY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS. maddergi. 2026;4(1):134-152. doi:10.71298/maddergi.1864862
Chicago
Hayek, Ela, and Hakkı Can Özkan. 2026. “BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH ON 21st CENTURY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS”. Mekansal Araştırmalar Dergisi 4 (1): 134-52. https://doi.org/10.71298/maddergi.1864862.
EndNote
Hayek E, Özkan HC (May 1, 2026) BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH ON 21st CENTURY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS. Mekansal Araştırmalar Dergisi 4 1 134–152.
IEEE
[1]E. Hayek and H. C. Özkan, “BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH ON 21st CENTURY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS”, maddergi, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 134–152, May 2026, doi: 10.71298/maddergi.1864862.
ISNAD
Hayek, Ela - Özkan, Hakkı Can. “BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH ON 21st CENTURY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS”. Mekansal Araştırmalar Dergisi 4/1 (May 1, 2026): 134-152. https://doi.org/10.71298/maddergi.1864862.
JAMA
1.Hayek E, Özkan HC. BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH ON 21st CENTURY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS. maddergi. 2026;4:134–152.
MLA
Hayek, Ela, and Hakkı Can Özkan. “BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH ON 21st CENTURY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS”. Mekansal Araştırmalar Dergisi, vol. 4, no. 1, May 2026, pp. 134-52, doi:10.71298/maddergi.1864862.
Vancouver
1.Ela Hayek, Hakkı Can Özkan. BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH ON 21st CENTURY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS. maddergi. 2026 May 1;4(1):134-52. doi:10.71298/maddergi.1864862

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