Create More Productive Learning Environments – the 21st Century Way

Today’s active learning styles

require multipurpose spaces

that can be easily adapted

for large groups, small

teams or individual learning

activities. Furnishings that

are flexible, mobile and

support technology enhance

the learning process and

improve student outcomes.

Furniture & Equipment

Furniture & Equipment

New Directions for LearningAt its essence, learning is the acquisition of skills, knowledge, values, wisdom and understanding. Learning theory in the 21st century has evolved from the 20th century paradigm of behaviorism to a new paradigm based on theories of constructivism.

Behaviorism is where knowledge is viewed as objective, factual and absolute and is thought to be transferred from the active teacher to the passive learner. Constructivism, on the other hand, is where learning is a process of constructing knowledge rather than acquiring it. Learning today is an active process of making meaning from experiences. And active learning styles mean happier and more productive students and teachers. Current research shows that people learn better in a challenging, safe, comfortable, socially-enriched environment.

Enabling Student SuccessThe fundamental shift in our understanding of teaching and learning is transforming the landscape of public education in the 21st century. This transformation must be supported by offering students the right combination of support that includes an open, adaptable environment and innovative, flexible furniture, equipment and supplies.

Doing the Right Thing for StudentsSchool administrators make buying decisions for furniture based on many factors, including cost, durability, functionality, safety, ergonomics and aesthetics to name a few. While those issues are important, the role that furniture and equipment play in creating positive, high performance learning environments should not be underestimated. The sophistication and versatility of today’s educational FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment) makes the benefit of choosing the right solutions, such as facilitating more effective learning outcomes, more visible than ever before.

Flexible Environments for 21st Century Learners

Furniture & Equipment

Furniture & Equipment

Students and educators convert their own learning environment with flexible and mobile

furniture and equipment.

Easily stored and modified tables enable diverse learning activities.

Mobile technology allows for learning anytime, anywhere.

Support adaptability with seating that moves and stores easily.

The New Learning Environment and FurnishingsLearning environments that support 21st century education are collaborative, student-centered and experiential. They address the multiple and interconnected learning needs of the whole child. In these new settings, learning opportunities are not restricted to the classroom – students read in hallways, take classes outdoors, engage in peer-to-peer learning and learn social skills throughout the day. In addition, students connect with a wider world through ubiquitous technology, and educators are facilitators and learners as well as instructors. Learning environments should provide students with opportunities to be collaborative, connected and creative.

21st Century Learning Environments – The Holistic Approach DefinedAccording to the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (Washington, DC) - A 21st Century Learning Environment:

• Supports the teaching and learning of 21st century skill outcomes by integrating learning practices, human support and physical environments

• Supports professional learning communities by enabling educators to collaborate and integrate 21st century skills into classroom practice

• Enables students to learn within a context of relevant, real world 21st century project-based methods and “hands on” applied work

• Allows equal access to quality learning tools, technologies and resources

• Enables group, team and individual learning through creative, innovative 21st century interior designs and flexible, adaptable furnishings

• Supports expanded community and international involvement in learning, by engagement with others – both face-to-face and through the use of technology

How Environments and Furnishings Support 21st Century Learning Skills

“The increasing variety of

skills required by 21st Century Learners

demands a more HOLISTIC APPROACH to educational environments. Including the right furniture and equipment can go a long way towards supporting student success.”

Amy Yurko, AIA Architect and Founder of BrainSpaces, Inc.

Breakout or touch-down spaces allow for both social and

academic interaction.

Communication is made easy when technology is integrated into furniture and equipment.

21st Century Skills

Critical Thinking

Creativity

Collaboration

Communication

Character

Supporting 21st Century Skills

Furniture & Equipment

Furniture & Equipment

360° writing surfaces allow brainstorming and collaboration to happen everywhere.Critical Thinking

When a student learns how to think critically, he/she goes beyond memorization and seeks to understand the how and

why. This type of thinking is purposeful and self-directed and encourages a student to interpret, analyze, evaluate and infer content through exploration. Environments that foster critical thinking support:

• Problem-based learning

• Group discussions, role-playing and simulation

• Research & exploration

• Tinkering

• STEM/STEAM problem-based learning

Inspire critical thinking with a thoughtfully designed environment.

• Flexible room layout for activity-based learning

• Space for individual study

• Technology for extended learning

• Teacher as facilitator

Create environments where students can explore and test their ideas.

“Replacing old furniture and equipment

is one of the most powerful tools

for transforming existing classrooms into EFFECTIVE ENVIRONMENTS for learning.”

Kelley Tanner Educational Planner and Researcher, Brainspaces | PK12 Forum

CreativityCreativity is as much about the student’s experience as it is about the end result. Creative thinking stimulates curiosity and

promotes divergence through exploration, discovery and imagination. Students are encouraged to dream, elaborate and embellish, to be open and responsive to new and diverse ideas, to generate multiple responses and to respond with originality and innovation. Environments that champion creativity support:

• Project-based activities

• Exploring and making

• Sharing, display and performance

• Discovery and celebration

Stimulate creativity with colors, textures and activity-based areas that expand thinking.

• Space for activities, designing and making

• Abundant natural day lighting

• Outdoor learning areas

• Playfulness

Flexible desk configurations.

CollaborationThe concept of collaboration is based on the belief that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” The ability to work effectively with

others toward a common goal and to assume responsibility for a shared vision are fundamental skills that 21st century students must master in our ever-changing global context. Environments that encourage collaboration support:

• Teamwork, small and large group work

• Collective problem-solving and project-based activities

• Technology-rich learning

• Connected, virtual activities

Encourage collaboration with special common areas and adaptable furnishings for group projects.

• Multiple presentation and display opportunities

• Areas for small and large group work

• Flexible arrangements of student furniture

Furniture & Equipment

Furniture & Equipment

Supporting 21st Century Skills

CommunicationWhether representing themselves as a group or as individuals, future-ready students must be able to communicate with clarity,

focus, energy and passion. They require the ability to articulate their thoughts and ideas effectively, to listen closely and understand both the words and intentions behind the words and to adjust communication strategies to the needs of their audience or their environment. Environments that promote effective communication support:

• Freedom of expression

• Attentive listening

• Empathy and trust

• Reasoning and debate

• Multi-directional dialogue

Promote communication with versatile, multipurpose spaces, mobile furnishings and technology.

• Comfortable seating and mobile furnishings for small group discussions

• Large-group presentation space

• Technology for connected learning

Coffeehouse-style social spaces provide a free exchange of ideas.

“Even the most beautifully

designed school facility requires thoughtful use of furniture and equipment

to support powerful learning. Furniture should be thought of as an INTERFACE between the architecture and the student, between the building and learning.”

Amy Yurko, AIA Architect and Founder of BrainSpaces, Inc.

CharacterAs the world becomes more connected, the value of character is increasingly recognized as

essential for successfully navigating the 21st century. Each student must develop a recognition of her his own character and then be able to use this recognition to determine which actions are appropriate in which circumstances, whether in school or in their daily lives. Learning environments that cultivate character support:

• Social and emotional learning

• Cultural awareness

• Empathy and trust

• Respect, honesty and integrity

• Ethical reasoning

• Stewardship and civic responsibility

Cultivate character by offering comfortable settings both indoors and outdoors.

• Variety of settings for student learning styles

• Outdoor connections for health and fitness

• Teacher-student interaction, healthy relationships

Connectivity occurs in cool cafe-style settings.

Expressing their ideas and processes organically is easy with

mobile collaboration surfaces.

How School Specialty® Can Help

School Specialty is an education company dedicated to providing innovative products, programs and services to help educators engage and inspire students of all ages and abilities to learn. Supporting educators isn’t just our specialty – it’s our passion. We design, develop and provide educators with the latest and very best core curriculum, supplemental learning resources, school supplies and furniture that support authentic learning environments.

www.schoolspecialty.com | www.ProjectsbyDesign.com

Phone: 888.388.3224 Fax: 888.388.6344

Whether your project includes a brand new building, renovations to your existing school or simply updating a room’s function, selecting the right furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) can help enable authentic learning. Here are some tips for using 21st century skills to create your own environments for 21st century learners.

Critical ThinkingUse a critical eye and look around at the FF&E you currently use. Are there any items that truly support 21st century skills? Be careful not to

simply replace what you already have. Instead, select new items that enable students to explore, create and collaborate in new and exciting ways.

CreativityBe creative in planning for new FF&E. Use combinations of various types of furniture instead of having all items be the same. Consider

color and texture as components in your artist palette of choices. Your resulting learning environment should be as fun and creative as your students!

CommunicationCommunicate your ideas effectively with your design professionals to be sure they help facilitate your vision. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and challenge

your staff to explore options beyond what they may have always used in their classrooms.

CollaborationMultiple perspectives are important for selecting the range of FF&E necessary to support the variety of educational programs as well as teaching and learning styles. Include participation from teachers,

administrators, maintenance staff and students to collaborate in achieving the most effective and well-rounded solutions.

CharacterUse the mission and values of your school as a starting point for developing your F&E plan. Your selection of items should support the positive development of character in alignment with

your values. The resulting plan should allow for positive development of tolerance, multi-cultural awareness and the celebration of students of all races, cultures and abilities.

The Right Choices for Your Students – Selecting Furnishings that Support Learning

© 2013 10783 12/13

Furniture & Equipment

Furniture & Equipment