Creating learning environments that work
Rows of fixed desks facing the front of the classroom is an outdated model of education. That setup might have made sense decades ago but modern students need flexible learning spaces.
The good news?
Modular desks are revolutionising schools' approach to their physical environment. The results speak for themselves.
Key Takeaways
- Flexible furniture is critical to learning
- The key benefits of modular desks
- Setting up your school space
- Selecting the right exam desks and tables
Flexible Furniture is Critical to Learning
Classroom design is not an afterthought. Space planning has more influence on education than most people realise. Research has found that flexible spaces account for over 25% of all academic improvement as a result of classroom design. That's significant.
Put simply. A student is more likely to perform better when they are comfortable. If they have choice and options for how they sit and work then they stay more engaged.
The furniture chosen for any school set up should be the first consideration. Modern exam desks and tables must be multi-purpose and flexible enough to fit a range of activities during the school day. That's why looking at quality exam desk options needs to be a top priority for any school.
The bottom line? Flexible furniture creates flexible minds.
The Key Benefits of Modular Desks
The benefits of modular desks and tables are endless. These key pieces of furniture are changing educational spaces.
They Are Flexible
Modular pieces of furniture can be shifted from one classroom configuration to the next in minutes. Teachers can switch from lecture mode to group work without any stress.
But that is just the beginning..
Increased Student Engagement
Students in flexible learning spaces are more engaged, on task and collaborate more often. Academic performance in subjects like English, Maths and Humanities were higher for students in flexible spaces compared to peers in traditional classrooms.
But why?
Simply put. Students who have some ownership over their environment will take ownership of their learning. That ownership leads to higher levels of motivation. Motivation leads to results.
Accommodates Different Learning Styles
Not all students learn the same way. Visual learners thrive at the front of the classroom. Kinesthetic learners need to move. There's no shortage of learning styles. Modular furniture allows for each type of learner to be accommodated.
Some students learn better standing. Others prefer soft seating. The best thing about modular exam desks and tables is that students can choose what works for them best.
Easy Reconfiguration for Different Activities
One minute the classroom needs fixed rows for an exam. The next minute it needs clusters for a group project. Modular furniture allows for that transition to be seamless.
It helps to support:
- Individual study sessions
- Small group collaboration
- Whole-class discussions
- Formal exam layouts
Activities can determine the school set up for a lesson rather than forcing activities to conform to a rigid pre-determined layout.
Setting Up Your School Space
Looking to make the switch to modular furniture?
Successful schools pay attention to these key areas when making the transition..
Start With Purpose
Before making any purchase decisions, think about what activities need to happen in each space. A science lab has different needs than a language classroom. An exam hall requires different furniture than an arts studio.
Plan out the activities that are most common for each room. Then choose furniture that supports those activities.
Prioritise Mobility
Mobility is key with modular furniture. Keep an eye out for:
- Lightweight pieces of furniture that are easily moved by students
- Wheels or castors on larger pieces of furniture
- Stackable designs that allow for storage at the end of the school day
- Nesting capabilities to maximise floor space
Heavy furniture negates the entire purpose.
Create Zones Within Rooms
The best flexible learning environments have specific areas for specific purposes. A quiet reading zone. A collaborative workspace. A presentation area. Modular furniture allows schools to create these zones without permanent walls.
Here's the secret...
Zones provide visual cues to students about expected behaviours. The collaboration zone signals to students that it's time for group work. The individual study zone signals time to focus.
Consider Storage Solutions
Storage is key. When desks and tables move where do supplies go? Where do chairs live when they are stacked?
Plan for storage from day one. The best storage units are mobile and match the modular furniture system.
Selecting the Right Exam Desks and Tables
Exam periods are challenging for any school set up.
Exam furniture must:
- Allow for the appropriate space between students
- Meet examination board requirements
- Provide an appropriate writing surface
- Allow for quick setup and breakdown
Quality exam desks and tables should fold flat or stack together to maximise storage space when not in use. It also allows for quick and easy transformation between regular classroom set up and exam set up.
Material Considerations
Durability is critical in school environments. Look for furniture that has:
- Scratch-resistant surfaces
- Easy-to-clean materials
- Stable construction that does not wobble
- Rounded edges for safety
Investing in quality furniture from the start pays dividends over years of heavy use.
Size and Spacing
Exam requirements from most boards typically require minimum spacing between students. Modular desks should be appropriately sized while still being easy to position and reposition.
Individual desks are often better than large tables for exam set up. They allow the flexibility to achieve the correct spacing between students for each different room size and number of students.
Making It Work Long-Term
Modular furniture is not a one-off decision.
It requires a commitment to ongoing maintenance and development. Teachers need to be trained on how to use flexible spaces. Students need guidance on appropriate furniture use. Maintenance schedules will also need to be reviewed to cater for mobile pieces of furniture.
But this is what schools discover...
The initial work pays dividends quickly. Once teachers have experienced the freedom and flexibility that comes with modular furniture they rarely go back. Once students start to experience the difference to their learning environment engagement levels increase naturally.
The key is to start with a well-thought out plan then scale up slowly. Pilot a flexible learning classroom before re-fitting an entire building. Learn what works in that specific context and environment before expanding.
Wrapping Things Up
Modular desks and tables are revolutionising school spaces across the country.
Flexible desks support higher levels of engagement. Allow for different learning styles and provide the flexibility that education needs to move with the times. Research is consistent in the importance of physical environment as a driver of learning outcomes.
The key things to consider when selecting exam desks and tables for any school set up are:
- Flexibility and mobility
- Durability for long term use
- Easy reconfiguration for a range of activities
- Appropriate sizing for different learning activities
The fixed-desk classroom served its time. Education has moved on. Learning environments must do the same.
Start planning that flexible learning space today. The students will thank you for it.