Collaborative Classroom Furniture Raises Class Performance

Schools ideally are intended to be environments that foster learning and encourage the advancement of every student to their highest potential. But this goal can't be achieved solely through textbooks and continuous lecture-based teaching styles. In order for true learning to thrive, the classroom environment must be taken into account. By using collaborative classroom furniture in the design of classrooms, schools can maximize learning potential, student success, increase overall health, and be more efficient all around.

Modern trends and updates to a school’s design are important to track. Additionally, high-performance school buildings can result in lower operating and maintenance costs and reduced energy bills. When properly planned and implemented, collaborative styled classrooms can contribute to healthy and productive school environments.

Well-crafted school and classroom blueprints should aim to support three crucial areas: environmental, economic, and social impact on the school’s surrounding community and students.

Environmental

Schools support the surrounding community in so many ways. When building, renovating, or making additions to a school, it is good to view the building and site as a seamless whole within the context of the surrounding community. A school really provides a place for the community to be shaped, to grow, and learn. This is why a school’s design should improve the physical and societal environment surrounding them.

Economic 

Everything from the way the school was constructed to the classroom furniture placed in classes should be an economically smart decision that increases the school’s return on investment. A school’s design should employ life-cycle cost analysis in all decision-making and design all systems to be easy to maintain and operate.

It has been noted that adopting high-performance practices can help schools and school districts lower their operating costs by up to 30%. One study of the costs and benefits of green schools estimated a 15% reduction in absenteeism and a 5% increase in test scores. As well, adding collaborative classroom furniture, such as standing desks has been shown to increase test scores, improve productivity, and increase the overall health of the user.

Social

A classroom layout should incorporate collaborative elements into a design that creates an open environment among classmates and between teachers and students to maximize performance. Social success of a school design should keep educational and disciplinary standards high. An effective way to construct a school to support these needed elements is to focus on implementing collaborative classroom elements throughout the design and construction process.

Whether it’s building a new school or just adding collaborative classroom furniture, it's vital to keep in mind that schools are meant to foster and improve student success. Through a thought out school design, students can thrive, continue to improve their own lives, and the community around them.

Author, Stand To Learn