Education is an ever-evolving space, as it should be. How we teach and learn has evolved from simple storytelling and hieroglyphics to slate and chalk, digital tablets, and virtual learning. As we all know, the change in learning environments for students, educators and administrators have accelerated and amplified trends in education that were already in motion. Online and blended learning has revealed inequities and how many physical learning environments can’t meet the pedagogical needs and technology demands. Additionally, well-being has suffered, and students and teachers have struggled, unable to teach or learn effectively.
Research has found both students and instructors want more control over their learning environments. People want options so they can choose where to learn or work, and they want the ability to adapt spaces based on what they’re doing. A recent study reports a 92% increase in students who say they often or always move furniture to support their learning. Instructors report a 47% increase when asked if they agree or strongly agree that they want to be able to move furniture into new layouts. Access to mobile furniture, seating options, and postures promotes a greater sense of student agency.
Here are five key benefits of proper seating in any education environment:
- Comfort: Comfortable seating can help reduce physical discomfort and fatigue during long periods of sitting, which is especially important for students who spend many hours in a lecture hall or study room. The right seating solution can help them stay focused and engaged during class.
- Posture: Proper posture helps to prevent back, neck, and shoulder pain and also helps to maintain good spinal alignment, which is essential for good health. Good posture also helps improve breathing and circulation, enhancing overall well-being.
- Productivity: Proper seating can help to improve concentration and focus, which is essential for success in higher education. When students are comfortable, they are more likely to be productive and able to retain information better.
- Learning Environment: Proper seating can create a more positive and inviting learning environment, contributing to a more positive and supportive classroom culture.
- Accessibility: Proper seating can also be important in making the classroom more accessible for students with disabilities. It is essential to ensure that seating is adjustable and can accommodate the needs of all students.
To create better teaching and learning experiences that provide students and educators with what they want and expect, institutions must pay attention to several macro shifts in how they think about space. Here are two key macro shifts:
Design for Effectiveness
During the pandemic, both students and educators faced challenges. The quality of learning and instruction declined. To move forward, students and educators must have access to multi-faceted learning environments that cater to individual and group needs and provide various learning methods. For instance, libraries could be reconfigured to accommodate group work and individual study. Schools must also create spaces that facilitate more effective hybrid and blended learning experiences.
Design for Flexibility
Traditionally, buildings were constructed with a focus on durability, featuring rigid architecture, power, and furniture arrangements. In the future, educational facilities will feature more flexible spaces that can quickly adapt to various modes of learning. Schools must embrace versatile spaces that can accommodate a wide range of activities. Furniture will be designed to be easily relocated, allowing the spaces to expand or shrink as necessary.
Below is a brief guide on several 9to5 Seating chairs and their ideal applications in various environments throughout school classrooms, libraries, admin areas, common areas, and other open spaces.
Vox and Dash – Great for classrooms, cafés, cafeterias and meeting room spaces:
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- Full collections with multiple models to fill multiple spaces- classrooms, Cafés, cafeteria and meeting rooms, lab spaces
- Very mobile and easy to move around
- Available with glides or casters
- Flexback movement to offer comfort while sitting for longer periods
- Durable frames and plastic shells that hold up in high-traffic areas
- Variety of plastic colors to choose
Lilly and Jax – Perfect for lounge collections-common areas, libraries, administrative offices:
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- Jax and Lilly offer different aesthetic designs suited for a variety of interior designs
- Very mobile and easy to move around
- Variety of models to fit in different spaces
- Support focus or collaborative student work
Ellie – Well-suited for common areas, libraries, administrative offices:
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- Very mobile and easy to move around
- Support focus or collaborative student work
- Variety of bases that support multiple areas-show via images (individual images of different bases)
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Effective education is a must for prosperous and civil societies. The next generation is counting on us to train and teach them, and we’re counting on them to lead us into the future. All of this is made easier with high-quality, thoughtfully specified lounge, task and multipurpose chairs from 9to5 Seating. For more inspiration on education seating solutions, check out the 9to5 Seating Education brochure.
