RUCKUS GRANT PROGRAM Results: Impact of Furniture within Learning Spaces
THE IDEA In the past, research has been done by others on the effects of the environment on learning. However, for these studies, the complete environments were altered (curriculum, walls, teaching styles, as well as furniture) so results were generalized to the complete environment. To better understand the impact of furniture alone on student learning and teacher facilitation within the classroom, KI decided to conduct un-biased, datadriven surveys to isolate this impact.
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THE PROCESS
KI reached out to education leaders, schools and universities across the country asking for participants in a controlled research project to determine the impact of furniture on learning spaces. A simple application garnered information on pedagogies, existing learning space configurations and more. KI wanted to partner with schools that had a curriculum and belief in the values of collaborative work. From a pool of 200 applicants, nine facilities were selected; three K-5, three 6-12, and three Higher Education. Participants then agreed to freeze their respective “control” environment – no changes to anything; not flooring, wall color, lighting, technology, etc. They also completed initial surveys to establish a baseline measure of overall effectiveness of the furniture within the environment. KI then swapped the existing furniture with a kit of new furniture (included KI’s Ruckus Collection, MyPlace Lounge, Instruct and Connection Zone Screens). After a semester of use, the survey was repeated. Results were contrasted to the initial survey results (the established baseline).
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SELECTED FACILITIES From a pool of 200 applicants, KI selected nine facilities from across the United States: Three K-5 1
Cranberry Elementary School
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Sheridan Way Elementary School
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Madras Middle School
Three 6-12 4
Thomas Jefferson High School
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Mount Vernon High School
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Buffalo Grove High School
Three Higher Education
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University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
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York Technical College
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Washington University St. Louis
THE SURVEY Survey participants were invited to rate the following statements from 1 (disagree) to 4 (agree): • The furniture helps increase student participation and dynamic engagement. • The furniture helps retention of learning and adds to student enjoyment. • The furniture supports technology and lets students work comfortably with it. • The furniture lets students move however they want. • The furniture helps students work in groups of varied size.
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THE LEARNING SPACE After the initial surveys were completed, KI swapped the existing furniture with a kit of new furniture (included KI’s Ruckus Collection, MyPlace Lounge, Instruct and Connection Zone Screens).
Ruckus cubby
Pillar mobile table and Ruckus stack chair
MyPlace lounge seating
Instruct mobile lectern and Ruckus task chair
MyPlace lounge seating and C-Table
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Connection Zone mobile screen
Ruckus height-adjustable desk and stack chair Ruckus work table and stool
THE RESULTS Pillar mobile table and Ruckus stack chair
The findings show that adaptable furniture solutions provide a positive increase in all these areas. While positive in all age levels, the younger the grade, the more pronounced the positive impact. The top driver in all age levels was the freedom to move. • The furniture helps increase student participation and dynamic engagement. AGREEMENT INCREASED 32% • The furniture helps retention of learning and adds to student enjoyment. AGREEMENT INCREASED 32% • The furniture supports technology and lets students work comfortably with it. AGREEMENT INCREASED 36% • The furniture lets students move however they want. AGREEMENT INCREASED 61% • The furniture helps students work in groups of varied size. AGREEMENT INCREASED 34%
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THEIR FAVORITES In addition to repeating the initial survey questions, as part of the post-survey, participants were also asked: Which furniture piece do you like the most - and why? Here are their favorites.
FAVORITE #1 Pillar Mobile Table with Ruckus Mobile Stack Chair REASON: Provides the freedom to move
FAVORITE #2 Ruckus Adjustable-Height Table with Ruckus Mobile Stack Chair REASON: Gives the option to sit or stand
FAVORITE #3 Ruckus Work Table with Ruckus Stools REASON: Increased visibility due to the higher height
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THEIR FEEDBACK
I get my wiggles out!
It allows me to adjust my view and work at multiple spots.
It can move, it can move, it can move!
It’s easier to move around and engage in conversation with fellow students and teachers. 9
BEFORE Buffalo Grove High School
Buffalo Grove High School is a prime example of a school with a curriculum and belief in the values of collaborative work. Here are some of the “before” comments from teachers and students at BGHS. Corinne Ginder, Teacher BGHS “There are times I like them (students) to do smaller group activities and the chairs aren’t on anything mobile and the desks have a steel panel on one side.” KTenekejieva, Student BGHS “To move your backpack to the chair and make sure your coat doesn’t fall off ... and the space is really tiny so turning the desk can be a little tough, and then you end up hitting someone behind you. It’s a bit frustrating.” Maggie Sheehy, Teacher BGHS “One kid said he’d rather sit on the floor because it’s just so uncomfortable in here. Working in groups is just a pain when students are moving their chairs all the time.”
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AFTER Buffalo Grove High School
The updated classroom at Buffalo Grove High School (shown above) now enables mobility, promotes diverse teaching styles and increases dynamic engagement and group participation. Dr. Jill Maraldo, Associate Principal BGHS “The engagement level has skyrocketed in these new spaces. Students are excited to come to the space. They feel comfortable in it. They can be themselves, interact with their peers and with the teacher. And then the flexibility to be able to move furniture around easily, work with groups, work as an individual, large groups, small groups... the feel is a less formal feel but a more active engagement.�
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IMPACT Buffalo Grove High School MOVEMENT - Increased 55%
Corinne Ginder, Teacher BGHS “The furniture allows for a lot more mobility and moving of tables into pods of two, groups of three ... As soon as we got the new furniture, I noticed that a number of students I would have thought would sit next to each other again, formed different collaborative groups. It was neat to see how they reformed their social groups just due to the furniture. ”
Jeff Bott, Division Head BGHS “I just observed her (Maggie Sheehy) in the new classroom and she had more movement than I’ve ever seen her in the previous three observations. The new classroom encourages movement amongst the teachers and the students. That encouragement really brightened her teaching style. Maggie Sheehy, Teacher BGHS “I’m so happy that I can just weave in and out of the tables and step to the back of the room. When you’re doing that, you’re keeping the students engaged because they’re not just staring straight forward, they’re following you around the room.”
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IMPACT Buffalo Grove High School ENJOYMENT / RETENTION - Increased 22%
Delaney, Student BGHS “This was nothing like I ever imagined.”
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IMPACT Buffalo Grove High School ENGAGEMENT / PARTICIPATION - Increased 23%
Shawn, Student BGHS “The high desk with the four chairs around it, that’s a really good one when you’re working with a group. And the cushioned seats with the little desk is really good if you’re working by yourself.”
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IMPACT Buffalo Grove High School GROUP WORK - Increased 39%
COMFORTABLE TECH USE - Increased 24%
Tenekejieva, Student BGHS “When I saw the shelf on the bottom of the chair that’s ideal - you can fit anything under there. The chairs are really versatile - you can sit in a bunch of different ways and still have room for ipads and books, and everything.”
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RUCKUS: A Learning Space Revolution KI is committed to the ongoing development of world-class learning spaces. We will continue to delve into the role of furniture on learning dynamics. Research results provide empirical context to shape new product development both now and in the future. And, these data-driven findings showing a desire for mobility/adaptability in furniture also aid specifiers and designers in furniture selection that can improve student engagement and much more.
See how the Ruckus Grant Program made an impact on Buffalo Grove High School VIEW VIDEO and LEARN MORE at ki.com/ruckusgrant Bryan Ballageer, VP of Education Markets provides an overview of the Ruckus Grant Program the idea behind it, the process, and the survey results. Buffalo Grove High School students and teachers interact with and comment on their enhanced learning space.
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