Innovative classroom furniture is revolutionizing education by helping teachers turn passive learning into active student engagement. In these dynamic classrooms, students collaborate, problem-solve, and interact directly with the material. This makes lessons more impactful and enjoyable for both students and teachers alike. By rethinking classroom design and incorporating flexible setups, schools can create spaces that enhance both student performance and teacher satisfaction.
How Does Innovative Classroom Furniture Support Active Learning?
- Active learning environments are classroom settings that encourage student participation.
- These environments require innovative furniture and flexible layouts to support group activities, hands-on projects, and individual learning needs.
- Active participation in their learning enhances student understanding, retention, communication skills, teamwork, and problem-solving.
- KV Workspace specializes in designing educational spaces that enhance learning and inspire students.
What Are Active Learning Environments?
Active learning environments are classroom settings that encourage student participation. As opposed to a classic educational environment where students mainly receive instruction, active learning environments encourage students of all ages to work with the material to enhance their learning and understanding. This is achieved through hands-on instructions, collaboration in small groups, and an engaging furniture layout.
One study of university students found that 90% of students greatly appreciate active learning classrooms, and find these classes more engaging. To facilitate active learning, schools need to adapt their classroom setup. These classrooms need to facilitate group activities and hands-on projects with innovative classroom furniture.
Benefits for Students
Active learning environments are extremely beneficial for students. Not only does it make coursework more fun, but it also helps students engage more with their studies, enhancing their understanding and retention of the material. When classrooms focus on students working together in small groups, or working with hands-on materials they experience benefits outside of the subject matter at hand: they also increase their communication skills, teamwork, and problem-solving. In fact, the International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education found that students who learn in active learning environments experience better communication, community, and satisfaction. This is one of the four Cs of education: encouraging connection. Additionally, these environments cater to different learning styles, ensuring that every student can learn the material.
Benefits for Teachers
These benefits don’t just help students. Educators also appreciate a more dynamic workday that is created in active learning environments. When schools provide the tools and furnishing needed to support flexible teaching methods, both students and teachers have a more rewarding experience. In addition to the psychological benefits of a more enjoyable classroom experience, active learning also helps student performance. One study found that active learning increases student results on average by half a letter grade.
How Innovative Classroom Furniture Supports Active Learning
The design of a classroom can make or break the ability to create active learning activities. Picture a classroom of individual desks in rows and a teacher at the front of the room instructing. This is not an example of an active learning environment. Instead innovative classroom furniture can be used to help facilitate movement, collaboration, and comfort for students and teachers alike. Here are ways that innovative classroom furniture can be used to support engaging learning.
1. Flexible Seating Arrangements
Providing flexible seating doesn’t mean that you aren’t providing the desks and chairs that classrooms need to function. Each student still needs a place from which to learn! However, today’s classrooms can benefit from updating the shape and functionality of their desks. The Hex Desk by Allumni, for example, was built to be moved and arranged both separately and in groups. Plus, it has optional casters that make these desks easy to move for both students and teachers.
2. Collaborative And Individual Workspaces
The modern teacher understands that all students learn differently. Because of this, group activities may not be the best way for every student to learn the same material. Providing innovative classroom furniture that supports both collaborative and independent learning is key for helping students engage with their subject matter.
In the Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy, we utilized many different types of seating to help support their student’s needs. With individual reading nooks, group desks, and tables and chairs that support small groups, many different types of learning activities can all take place in the same environment.
3. Ergonomic and Comfortable Seating
Comfort is key to keeping both students and teachers focused and engaged. Ergonomic seating helps maintain proper posture, which reduces the risk of discomfort and distraction. The Very Side and Seminar chair by Haworth is a great example of ergonomic seating that is still highly functional for schools. With an easy-to-clean polymer seat and back, the ability to stack for storage and optional casters, these chairs meet the functionality expectations of most learning environments. But, they aren’t just functional, they’re designed for comfort. These chairs feature the ability to recline properly and are made with a material that absorbs and distributes weight for natural support making it extra comfortable for students.
4. Technology-Integrated Furniture
It’s a fact that students need access to technology to facilitate learning. One of the ways that schools can help support this is by integrating technology into the furniture of education spaces. Furniture that integrates technology, such as desks with built-in power outlets and charging stations, supports students using their computers or tablets. This goes for more casual learning environments too. We utilized the Haworth Cabana Lounge in the Dillard University Student Union with integrated power. These comfortable lounge seats provide a space for students to learn together or individually with access to the power they need to charge their devices.
The Role of Outdoor Furniture in Active Learning
Outdoor learning spaces provide unique opportunities for students to engage with their environment and learn in new ways. This is one of the most important modern classroom furniture ideas that schools should consider implementing. Outdoor furniture designed for educational purposes can help create functional and inspiring learning spaces outside the traditional classroom.
Benefits of Outdoor Learning
Research shows that spending time outdoors can improve students’ concentration, and memory, reduce stress, and boost creativity. Outdoor learning environments can provide a change of scenery, making lessons more engaging and memorable. These spaces are also ideal for activities that require more space, such as science experiments, physical education, and art projects.
Outdoor seating is a great option for education spaces. Modern picnic tables, like the Charlie Table by Landscape Forms, provide seating and table space for students. Plus, when you can customize the color, you can ensure that school pride is also showcased outdoors.
Designing Outdoor Learning Spaces
To create effective outdoor learning environments, schools need durable, weather-resistant furniture that can withstand the elements. Take the Preserve canopy by Ghent, pictured at the top of this section. With a sunshade, integrated whiteboard, and weather-proof materials it’s the perfect spot for small group assignments.
Creating active learning environments is about more than just rearranging desks; it’s about designing spaces that inspire and engage students. From flexible seating arrangements to technology-integrated furniture, innovative classroom furniture can make a significant impact on students’ learning experiences.
At KV Workspace, we understand the importance of creating learning environments that support and inspire students. Whether you’re looking to create a dynamic classroom, a collaborative workspace, or an outdoor learning area, we have the expertise to bring your vision to life. Let’s work together to create spaces where students thrive!
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