A recent survey conducted by instructors indicates that student engagement now ranks #1 as the most important measurement of student success among educators, while testing falls to #14.
Dr. Michael Schmoker, educational author and former teacher, says that keeping students moving, getting them talking, and letting them practice are three key principles that create student engagement; to make it so engaging that it will be difficult for students not to participate.
With student engagement at the top of mind, how can spaces be programmed to create an engaging learning environment? Follow these three pillars to guide your classroom design plans and create an engaging learning environment.
Keep Them Moving - Create Agile Learning Environments
Flip spaces into action with smart table choices.
The Jurni table collection table collection helps designers create cohesive, multi-purpose spaces. Jurni tables can be utilized in offices, training spaces, or large classrooms to maximize square footage. Accessories such as privacy and modesty panels support work styles and comfort.
A mechanism under the Jurni Flip table allows it to easily and quickly turn the tabletop vertically so the table (or multiple tables) can be stacked and stored, taking up less space. Casters make moving a one-person job! This provides an adaptive learning space that can quickly become a desk-free space—allowing for movement learning and breaks. This allows educators to feel confident their classroom can get back on track after a well-deserved break.
Keep them Talking - Bring Students Together Quickly. Encourage Collaboration Through Seating.
The Arcozi classroom chair gets learners moving and sharing without sacrificing a space that's their own. When it's time to move into student-directed learning, simply (and quickly) push desks into the desired collaborative seating arrangement without needing to move personal belongings like backpacks and water bottles. 360-degree tablet and swivel arm allow students to choose positions that are most conducive to their learning style and comfort.
Prioritizing desks that keep students' personal belongings near them is a huge way to keep students feeling independent while still prioritizing flexibility and collaboration. Students tend to feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts when they are in a familiar spot and feel welcomed. This allows for a level of predictability for those who need it while maintaining a variety of learning.
Let Them Practice - Build Practice Into Higher Learning
Higher education campuses across the country are reevaluating how they can increase collaboration and value to in-person learning. Discovering innovative and creative methods for in-person learning can significantly enhance the value provided to students in comparison to online learning.
Thanks to the modularity and contemporary design of TechWorks workstations, creating Maker Spaces and Tech Labs has never been easier. The bases can support up to 1,000 lbs, and with various tabletop surfaces and accessories, they can adapt to different environments. The modular design allows for both individual and combined workstation setups. This durable, flexible, and mobile solution for STEM spaces, learning labs, and maker spaces empowers students to design, experiment, and invent, creating an ideal environment for both focused learning and group collaboration, seamlessly transitioning between the two.
Adaptive Design Creates Agile Learning
At Safco, we design our products to support people's behavioral needs and their activities to promote connection, invite collaboration, sustain concentration, and spark learning.
Whether in a school or workplace setting, learning and training spaces need to be adaptable and agile, ready to adjust and move at a moment's notice. This adaptive design philosophy is fundamental to our product development and is seamlessly integrated into all our offerings.
