Essentials Magazine Essentials Fall 2016 | Page 39

on desks and the shelves are overstocked,
suggest customers take some time to
regroup and reduce clutter to create a
more open learning environment. Creating the ideal classroom is not just about
repainting, rearranging and getting some
new furniture, it also requires consistent
maintenance to retain and renew the
original appeal of the space.

What Comes Naturally
We found that educators can be
innovative when they are not limited by
budget or space concerns. What interesting items do today’s educators want
to see in their classrooms? Responses
included outdoor learning spaces, and
increased connection with nature, a
sunroof to let natural light into the
classroom, and even a space where students can read peacefully while swaying
gently in hammocks. Preschool teacher
Teri Bierman dreams of “creating an
indoor garden that children can explore
year round.” Other responses included bright yoga balls to allow students
to gently bounce and balance as they
release energy and stay focused on the
task at hand, floor-to-ceiling
whiteboard walls with idea paint to
encourage students to brainstorm
freely, work through problems and formulas and leave their personal touches
directly on the walls of the classroom.
When there are no limitations and educators are free to dream of the perfect
space, their ideas are truly remarkable.

lem solver; and the classroom may
extend, virtually and actually, beyond
its walls.”
Similar views were expressed by
others who felt that through virtual
reality, electronic textbooks, interactive whiteboards, smart TVs, and
other innovations, students would be
more in control of their learning and
benefit from it. “The most awesome
classroom is where students are
self-directed and conferencing and
making their own learning decisions
with guidance,” said Dr. Vicki
Knopke, who has PhD in Technology
Education from Brisbane, Australia.
It’s clear that technology and flexibility should be main factors in determining the design and layout of an ideal
educational space. It would be enlightening to see what the space would look
like and what the results would be when
creative ideas such as hammocks, sun
roofs and whiteboard walls are integrat-

ed into classrooms. We hope these results encourage educators and designers
to really consider what matters when
designing classrooms, think outside
the box, and create the best spaces for
today’s students.
n

DAVID MOCTON
is the President of
Hertz Furniture, a
nationwide dealer
of 21st century
educational
furniture. David is
passionate about
providing schools
with classroom
layouts and furniture that enhance
students’ ability to succeed. David leads the
popular ”Cl