So everybody’s looking for the latest “software” tool to implement 1:1 laptops in their school environment, but are you thinking about the “softer” ware that students sit on or use around their classrooms or hallways so that they get a great, flexible experience while they’re using their laptops? At SAS, we’re falling deeply in love with Luemmel, a German-designed chair that comes in as many colors as an iPod nano, and it can be used as a recliner chair, or as purpose-built laptop chair for students or adults alike. This kind of easily portable furniture is already at the heart of heart of many flexible collaborative learning zones that we’re designing at our school.
Essentially, we’re looking at a series of “collaborative learning zones” that consist of flexible chairs and tables, including flexible furniture, like Luemmel chairs and beanbags, plus “booths” like those that you would find at diners and restaurants. Learning should be comfortable and organic, and the furniture and environments that you choose will seriously play into the success of the areas that you design. At the core of our “resdesign” is observation of organic student use of our spaces, which has led us to believe that power sources are a quintessential component of any effective piece of furniture design. Form + function = a great formula for active student use of space.
If you have ideas or experience of designing spaces for collaborative learning, please respond to this post. We’re all looking to learn from each other in this department, and your knowledge will likely enrich the decisions and experience of many readers at UTechTips. Please contribute!
