Adjustable School Furniture

How Collaborative Desks Enhance Student-Centered Learning

| Mark Tiongco
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Education in the 21st century has evolved into a more focused and student-centered learning experience.  That is, having several students work closely with one teacher or having student seating arranged to promote group work is becoming more common.  In addition, changing lesson plans along with innovative teaching styles and new technology compel a classroom to have a flexible seating solution.  Having a flexible, yet centralized student seating solution creates an optimal learning environment while encouraging group participation and teaching flexibility.  When searching for collaborative seating, keep these important factors in mind:

Flexibility

Teachers often change grade levels and classroom configurations throughout the day. Desks that are both sturdy and lightweight allow for quick transitions from traditional rows to small groups. Collaborative desks give teachers the flexibility needed for their changing learning environments.  The Smith System Diamond Desk features telescoping legs that adjust to fit the needs of growing students.  The desks can be configured for group work as well as individual assignments.

Diamond Desk by Smith System

Individualized Attention

While group assignments promote intellectual stimulation, teachers also need to provide individualized attention for several reasons.  For instance, it’s customary for foreign language teachers to administer oral exams involving one student or grading two students having a dialogue in Spanish.  Another case might involve a teacher separating one (or several students) to help them understand difficult material on an individualized, almost tutor-based learning which is common in AP classes such as Calculus and Physics.  Regardless, a desk like the Yin Yang Elemental Table by Smith System allows group learning and can be easily separated to provide one-on-one or three-to-one teacher/student ratio.

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Why Schools Are Converting to Seminar Training Tables

| Mark Tiongco
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Despite having no shortage of technological advances in the 21st century, today’s students still utilize the tried & true desk.  Unfortunately, classic desks are becoming obsolete and a growing hindrance since lesson plans often involve student collaboration, on-demand technology usage, and impromptu group work.  In order to minimize difficulties and to streamline classroom organization, many schools are starting to utilize training tables as an alternative.  Training Tables add teaching flexibility and help promote a cohesive relationship between students, teachers, and technology.

Here are several reasons why they would provide a more efficient learning solution:

Training Tables Allow for Movement

Whether it’s a group project or a team-based lesson plan, more and more studies are indicating that physical movement helps keep students engaged.  Training tables such as the Echo Series Dry Erase Rectangle Training Table by Haskell let students join different groups and rotate throughout the classroom while allowing teachers to incorporate organized moving into lesson plans.

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3 Reasons Why Special Education Classes Need Alternative School Furniture

| Mark Tiongco
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Special education programs are becoming more common in both public and private schools. In 2015 alone, over 6.5 million students received some type of special education help. Even more so, over 10% of all public school kids receive special education help. Special education is an umbrella term that covers a wide range of learning matters from special needs to learning disabilities, speech impediments to temperate control, audio-visual impairments to physical handicaps, and more. While alternative classroom layouts and furniture can be extremely useful in mainstream classrooms due to the rise of visual learners in the classroom, alternative classroom layouts and furniture can be even more beneficial to students in special education programs. Below are three reasons why special education classes need alternative school furniture.

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Save Money with Classroom in a Box furniture Sets

| Mark Tiongco
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It’s that time of year again where school districts reflect upon the previous school year and plan accordingly for the upcoming academic calendar.  Between last-minute curriculum changes to teacher desks, to presentation stations everything in between, administrators and board members assess their schools’ needs based on their fixed budgets.

Educational budgets and academic needs are constantly battling each other which means schools need to make every expenditure count. Unfortunately, equipment such as student desks are not immune from wear and tear over years of student use. One way a district can stretch their dollars is by purchasing high-quality furniture sets for their classrooms.

Chevron Desk & Hierarchy Chair Package by Balt

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