Classroom furniture items are not created equal, and both students and teachers can attest to the efficacy of a good set of furniture. The reality is, educational furniture gets subjected to criteria and stressors which we normally wouldn’t consider for furniture in a domestic or commercial setting – and school administrators who make decisive choices for their furniture can have a great impact on the learning culture of the school. Here are some things to consider when recognising whether a piece of furniture would be a good fit for the classroom.
Focus on function before form.
The purpose of any piece of school furniture should be to facilitate learning, and address the changing needs of students and teachers. In the past, this might have meant individual seats with desks attached, which were the most effective for keeping students still and attentive towards a forward-facing lecture. But in today’s changing educational climate, good furniture is that which allows teachers to run innovative lessons unimpeded by the limitations of their room. Effective educational furniture Sydney students use will also communicate the types of learning expected, simply by its design.
With regards to education furniture Australia based teachers should consider factors such as STEM-integration, collaboration and meeting students’ diverse needs. Schools are more commonly opting for shared tables and spaces, standing desks and rounded desks which facilitate discussions. Comfort is still also a big factor, as we still do expect students to stay seated for extended amounts of time.
Recognising the best modern trends
Recently, there have been a bigger push towards flexibility and student choice in school furniture. Many Australian schools and classrooms have been effectively implementing student-driven furniture choice, or shared learning spaces with varied tables and seating arrangements. While this can be defamiliarizing for students at first, who might be expecting a more structured environment, the added choice and expectation of independence has been shown to invigorate a student’s sense of inquiry and self-motivation.
Being able to reshape or redecorate a classroom is also now becoming a greater concern for Australian teachers. The educational furniture Sydney teachers opt for, tends to allow for easy room rearrangement – whether this is from light weight, handles or wheels. This ultimately enables the teacher to implement more diverse lessons across the course of a school day, without the hassle of lifting heavy tables and chairs in order to do so.
More than just ordinary furniture
These factors show that good educational furniture is built to purpose, and there needs to be an understanding between the manufacturer and the school administration to ensure that the right choices are being made for the learning culture of the students. Making an informed choice about the furniture your school chooses can help greatly benefit learning where it matters most.
We create safe, BESPOKE Learning Environments that help Early Education Centres stand out from others.These learning spaces allow Services to provide high quality care to children and families, and ultimately contribute to a happier community.
For those that own one or multiple Early Learning Centres, creating a learning environment that has a unique edge is key to setting your service apart from others.
Building a strong reputation within the community starts from partnering with a furniture & resource supplier who has a deep understanding of industry standards & regulations.
Step4’s team of industry experts works with your space, time & budget to give you a safe & dynamic learning environment that meets & exceeds your requirements.
With our bespoke custom-made furniture, free room design service, full start-up packages and an on-going discount structure, we are here to make your journey seamless and enjoyable.
Learn more about: Child Care Furniture Australia
Ozford Melbourne prides itself as being part of the Education State, providing students with opportunities to study in Melbourne, Australia.
Because Melbourne is recognized worldwide for being a hub of global-knowledge and attracts some of the world’s best academics and researchers.
