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7 Small Changes Which Will Improve Classroom Instruction

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Abax Kingfisher Pty Ltd

When considering a change or refresh of primary classroom furniture or high school classroom furniture, it’s not always the most drastic or most expensive changes which have the biggest impact. Here are seven small, everyday considerations which have just as much effect on the teaching and learning in your classroom.

  1. Open up the space by removing clutter

Ask yourself, is there any furniture in the room which doesn’t have a practical purpose to the day-to-day learning activities? Especially in Australian schools, floor space can often be a valuable resource, and a removed filing cabinet or stack of textbooks might mean a little extra room for students or teachers to move about. Students will be able to express themselves easier in a room which isn’t cluttered, claustrophobic or overstimulating, and the emptier space might clue them into other changes which are more crucial for the way your individual class learns.

  1. Invite student opinions

One reason why refreshes of classroom furniture could have little impact is because students don’t feel any agency when it comes to their learning space. If a teacher constantly makes changes based on their own whim, it might send a message to students that they are to conform to someone else’s expectations, and their own self-expression is less important. Particularly for motivated or creative groups, allowing students to have some say in the classroom arrangement will help a class become more self-aware about their learning – even if they do collectively insist on a standard horseshoe or horizontal rows.

  1. Bring in some natural light

Most classrooms are built with decent windows and natural lighting, but just as commonly those windows are covered up with furniture or are only available to certain desks. Teachers can consider how the light falls into the classroom on an average day and arrange classroom furniture so no student is blocking it for the rest of the class. Better natural light can save electricity usage, and subconsciously improve the mood of students who would rather be outside. 

  1. Encourage independent inquiry

We all know that each individual student will have their own preferred learning style, and every class will have a few who thrive working independently away from noise or distractions. Having a few tables which are isolated or which face classroom walls could be more useful than just a time-out corner: students can be instructed to move there themselves if they feel that they might learn better with some alone time.

  1. Foster Collaboration

Especially when considering primary classroom furniture, collaboration, groupwork and socialisation should be an important concern. Teachers should consider how their classroom furniture enables their students to interact with each other, and whether students are only talking to the people next to them, or if they are getting some time with each of their classmates in different settings.

  1. Shift the Focus

Most classrooms only have one focus point – the front of the room - which could mean that the students who are furthest away with it are at greater risk of disengaging or distracting their peers. Especially for high school classroom furniture, tables and chairs are usually in rigid formations which can stifle student learning. Teachers can consider implementing whiteboards or different spaces so that they can teach from all parts of the classroom, to ensure that students don’t become complacent with their classroom behaviour.

  1. Make it Feel Like Home

Ultimately though, a great classroom is one which feels inviting and comfortable for the students. This is created through a variety of factors, some physical and some mental. Of course, the classroom furniture itself should be safe and comfortable, so consider tiding up or swapping out chairs and tables which are damaged, squeaky or otherwise show signs of use. But this also comes from the attitudes and feelings expressed in the class. If the walls are places for students to personalise with their own exceptional work, and if the students and teacher personalise the space they inhabit, the added sense of ownership will make the room a more welcoming space for both the regular class and any guests which may share the space.

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