Changing Spaces

Just recently I attended EDspaces 2015 in New Orleans. The conference focused on forward thinking, sustainable design and the changing impact of environments on learning. The exhibits showcased products and services that mirrored the drastic changes we are now seeing in today’s classrooms. There was so much more to see than a new palate of colors on existing desks and chairs. It was as if in the last few years, when business was slow, all of these companies took advantage of the time in order to develop the type of furniture that truly enhances the student’s desire and ability to learn. For that, I thank them.

No more desks in straight rows. No more looking at education through an old lens where the focus was limited to net-assignable space and efficiency ratios. No more assumptions that learning could only take place in a formal location. Attention was paid to the latest research on how today’s students learn. The furniture I saw was designed for maximum flexibility and an easy transition from small group, to large group, to individual learning spaces. Not forgotten were soft furnishings designed specifically for the usually ignored areas where informal communications and self-organizing groups could meet and collaborate. The integration of technology into the space was no longer an afterthought — the use of technology is now a given, and is an integral part of the classroom and furniture design for today’s digital learners.

Student-Centered Active Learning Environments (SCALE) and Technology-Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) classrooms were discussed, along with the improved student gains when compared to traditional instructional environments. Spaces for innovation, discovering and experimenting were showcased in the designs for STEM/STEAM classrooms, Fab Labs and makerspaces, along with the required work surfaces, storage and display spaces, and utility infrastructure to make these spaces work.

Change is something we often discuss, but rarely do. It’s not easy and it’s not quick. But with a new breed of student, the integration of technology into the classroom and what I saw this last week, our educational facilities and everything in them are about to see a big change for the better. Everyone appears to be on board… students, instructors, administrators, manufacturers, designers. It may have been a long time coming, but it appears we have finally overcome inertia. Our job now is to keep the ball rolling!

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • MiEN Releases White Paper on Community College Space Innovation

    MiEN Company recently released a new white paper called “Designing New Innovative Spaces for Community Colleges” to address the needs of community colleges post-pandemic, according to a news release. The eight-page guide by Dr. Christina Counts, MiEN Company VP of Education and Marketing, covers topics like the enrollment drop that these schools have seen since COVID-19, the roles they play in higher education and local workforces, and five suggested key changes that can improve students’ experiences.

  • Image courtesy of Armstrong International

    The Modern Hot Water System Approach to Keep Higher Education Buildings Safe and Operational

    Higher education campuses face unique structural and operational demands. With a range of old and new buildings, a variety of facility types, and ambitious sustainability goals, it's essential that no aspect of infrastructural performance is overlooked. Facility managers must be equipped to provide a safe, reliable and efficient space for students, faculty and guests.

  • ProTeam Launches GoFit 6 HEPA Backpack Vacuum

    Technology leader Emerson recently introduced the new ProTeam GoFit 6 HEPA backpack vacuum, according to a news release. The vacuum was designed to capture 99.97% of particulates down to 0.3 microns—including atmospheric hazards like lead dust, mold spores, and other particulates—through an advanced filtration system.

  • Aims Community College to Build Workforce Innovation Center

    Aims Community College in Greeley, Colo., recently announced that it has broken ground on its new Aims Workforce Innovation Center (AWIC), according to a news release. The facility for workforce development, entrepreneurship, and education has a scheduled opening date of fall 2026.

Digital Edition