Modern teaching and learning methods require new and innovative classroom furniture. We will take a look at the benefits of bringing your classrooms into the 21st century.
School furniture designers will tell you that the 21st century classroom is very different from the ones that most of us knew. Children are learning differently, in part because of changing technology. However, there is more to a modern classroom than electronic gadgets. The way the space is used, by both teachers and students, is key.
THE Journal magazine, which focuses on “transforming education through technology,” discussed design elements that should be part of today’s classrooms according to Issac Herskowitz, director of world-famous Touro College’s instructional technology program. Classroom furniture and its arrangement were key in those elements.
Furniture that Encourages Collaboration
Educators are embracing the importance of teaching children to work together to solve problems and complete projects, just like they will in the adult world. The days of kids sitting at a desk all day listening to a teacher at the front of the room are increasingly behind us. That means that classroom furniture needs to be more portable in order to form multiple types of group configurations. Increasingly, tables are being used rather than single-seat desks. Changing up the furniture arrangement automatically encourages greater collaboration.
That is why Classroom Essentials carries a wide variety of
activity tables in all sizes and shapes, including
round,
rectangular, and
horseshoe. Tables are available in traditional as well as bright colors to help energize the room. We also have lightweight
classroom chairs that are easy for children to move around as needed or even take outside.
Folding tables and
folding chairs are also useful to have because they take up little storage room. Teachers can bring them out as needed.
Many teachers do not use the big desks that we remember our teachers having. Some schools do not even have
teachers’ desks. Instead, teachers use
activity tables as they work with their students.
Student Furniture Designed by Students
We are always looking for what is on the horizon for the modern classroom. Where better to look than to the kids who spend their days in classrooms? Students from The School at Columbia University, an independent K-8 school in New York City, collaborated with furniture manufacturer Bernhardt Design and designers from Aruliden to create a Tools at School Collection. They created innovative styles of desks, lockers, and other classroom tools that were practical, attractive, and comfortable. These designs are still a bit away from mainstream use, but you will probably be seeing them within the next few years.
We will continue to keep up with the advancements in school furniture as classrooms and teaching methods evolve and modernize. We also carry
preschool furniture and daycare furniture.
