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Furniture for Learning Wayne Schofield reflects on how imaginative furniture solutions can better support creative learning
 The increasing synergy between learning environments in the public and private sectors has meant that education establishments and commercial organisations alike can benefit from each others experiences. By selecting the right furniture solutions schools and colleges can better support enhanced learning.
As a transformation programme initiatives such as The Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme provides a unique opportunity to consider and resolve many of the issues facing schools including - How learning can be better delivered in the future?
- How and providing better resources (including diversity of space, furniture and technology) can affect teaching and learning?
Positive Outcomes
Mirroring findings in the commercial world recent studies have confirmed that there is a positive relationship between the learning environment and achievement. They conclude that using better designed furniture, applied correctly in well designed interior environments has - Made a positive difference to learning behaviour
- Encouraged greater interaction and collaborative learning
- Enabled better, more prolonged concentration
- Created quieter more settled friendly ‘classrooms’
- Improved the experience of learning and outcomes
Increased Expectations and Aspirations
Increasingly expectations in all areas of performance has risen. Educational standards are continually improving resulting in greater competition between pupils, educational establishments and in the workplace.
In common with all aspects of society individual expectations are now higher. This has resulted in both Students and Teachers demanding better spaces and furniture that is fit for purpose that has design and athectics attributes in line with current requirements and the schools of the furture.
In response furniture providers must offer funiture solutions that inspire, support better perfoming multifunctional spaces, learning and comfort.
More Dynamic and Diverse Solutions
Furniture is so much more than a chair and a desk. Different individual learning styles, new ways of learning and the striking the balance between the needs of collaboration and concentration means - Multifunctional spaces that work harder
- More mobile, flexible, multi purpose furniture to support this
- Diversity of space and furniture in both open plan and enclosed learning zones
- Innovative acoustic solutions to support concentration and privacy
- Storage allowing information, educational materials, personal effects (for 'learners', teachers, administration / support staff) to be better secured, stored and retrieved.
- Furniture that supports more IT literate generation, or has technology, built in.
Environmental Considerations
The environemt is not just about making look and perfom better it is also about sustainability. Green issues are becoming increasingly important. Careful consideration to the Manufacturing, Durability, Life Expectancy and Recylability of the furniture provided.
Expertise and Advice
The DfeS and others have created excellent guidelines and detailed technical advice. As importantly when selecting a furniture consultant or provider to support either a new build or refurbishment it is imperative that they can - Offer practical ideas and solutions for diverse applications
- Demonstrate independence in thought and action
- Capability and expertise understand not only the furniture but also the design and construction of the interior environment, IT, acoustic performance etc. that is needed around
- Understand the issues of operating to tight Educational, Economic, Environmental and Ergonomics Standards in Schools of the Future
- Maintain a creative approach to solving problems
- Be a reliable partner with an ability to react quickly
- Provide products that are and will be developed based on a fundamental knowledge of education and are, therefore, perfectly suitable to fit into learning environments.
For more information
For further information please go to www.footprintfurniture.com/education or contact Wayne Schofield on 0208 704 6600 |
