Take a seat

Getting classroom furniture right

Educational environments have changed.

The classic image of a teacher standing in front of a sea of perfectly aligned wooden desks is much less applicable today than in the past, and really doesn’t do the trick for captivating young learners’ attention, nor learning potential. As intentions evolve, pops of colour, differently shaped furniture, and large group zones for collaborative learning are taking over conventional schooling environments. Education has steadily moved away from unilateral learning, something that traditional furniture was able to satisfy, and has now plunged into an era where creativity, digital literacy and collaboration are the new golden ticket to the acquisition of knowledge. The importance of ‘human skills’ such as creativity, team work, originality, debate and initiative now take centre stage. A common trend in education globally, and around New Zealand, is the switch from teacher-centred instruction to student-centred or student-led learning. Cultivation of idiosyncratic self is being encouraged in education like never before. This is why learning spaces are being transformed. Free open spaces encourage collaboration and free thinking, in comparison to separateness which breeds individualism.

Ottomans, bean bags, stools, couches, adjustable desk chairs, computer and technology hubs are now common fixtures in the school halls.

The Ministry of Education report titled, “The impact of physical design on student outcomes” investigates the strong direct link between learning environments and student learning outcomes. The publication concluded that: • Types of furniture and its configuration will support different types of teaching and learning • Easy access to different learning spaces is related to positive student outcomes

• Access to large group learning spaces is related to increased achievement

• Spaces should minimise fixed partitions and fittings, but should consider whether shifting furniture will create difficulty for students • Visual transparency is important for observing student activity • Smaller break out spaces located in close proximity to the learning space can further increase options for different student groupings and learning activities • Furniture and equipment should be adaptable to meet different student needs, but should also be robust and easily cleanable to last longer • Colour can be used as a visual aid, such as in marking routes, and in using contrasting colours or layers of colour to define spaces or objects • Technology only improves student outcomes when it is used to extend teaching and learning practice.

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