Creating an Inviting Classroom

A big concept that stuck out to me this week was the idea that classrooms have consistently been the same for generations of learners. We now need to take a step back and look at what our classrooms look like and what effect it has on our students' learning. Even just the seating provided to students can have an impact on their learning. Schools have recently been experimenting with free-swinging chairs, height-adjustable chair-desk combinations, inclinable tabletops, and rolling/swivel chairs with rocking mechanisms. Studies have shown that the more adjustable seating options allowed students to pay more attention because they were able to move around more often in order to meet their comfort needs. Many students have the tendency to be energized and fidgety during class and these kinds of seating options can help ease this problem. If they are able to move around in a way that does not disturb other students, this is beneficial for all students and the educators. A major problem for educators to do this is there is no budget in order for schools to implement this. This means teachers must work with what they have. But even providing time for students to move around or having a study space with lounging furniture can be beneficial to a classroom's dynamic.