Classroom furniture is important not only for comfort and
aesthetics but for the function it serves within the classroom environment.
While deciding on what is needed in a classroom is a personal choice, it is
essential to consider how the furniture complements the subject being taught
and the comfort of the students.
The Basics
Most classroom furniture will be used by hundreds of
students over many years. Quality furniture is needed to meet the demands of
time. The type of furniture for a particular classroom is driven by the age of
the students and the teacher's presentation of a lesson. The size of the
classroom and the number of students it accommodates are also essential
factors.
Student
Consideration of the students who will use the classroom
shouldl drive the choice of furniture. Age is one factor. Kindergartners
require smaller and different types of furniture compared with high school
seniors. It is also important to take into account any disabilities students
may have. For example, if the teacher has a student who uses a wheel chair, she
needs to have a table to accommodate that student rather than the traditional
desk with built-in chair. Whether furniture can be arranged to allow for
personal space should be taken into account as well.
Types
There are many types of classroom furniture, even though
desks and chairs may be the only items that come immediately to mind. In
addition to different type of seating and table configurations, there are
shelves, "cubbies", and other organizational furniture to consider.
Durability an important factor when investigating any classroom furniture.
Considerations
The number of students within a classroom must be taken into
account in terms of comfort and safety . Furniture must allow students to move
comfortably without creating congestion in any one area. If cooperative
learning is a goal of the teacher, the classroom furniture needs to be easily
and safely movable. According to Cooperative Learning Classroom, student tables
and chairs should not be connected and should be able to be used for individual
work and then brought together for group work.
Benefits
There are social benefits to be gained from a good choice of
classroom furniture. With movable tables and chairs, students gain a better
understanding of teamwork and social skills. Also, furniture designed for
specific learning environments is conducive to better learning. If classroom
furniture fits the student and subject, students can better focus on learning.
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