Shopping for School Furniture in 2009
By: Megan Glomb
Now that we are a decade into the 21st century, shopping for school furniture is a different ballgame than it was 20 or even 10 years ago. Out are the uncomfortable, cost-oriented chair-desk units whose only requirement was durability. In are ergonomic furniture, modular furniture, computer furniture, and multi-media furniture. Even our way of shopping has changed, as the Internet becomes increasingly practical for comparison shopping and bulk buying.
If the time is coming around for your school to replace old furniture or add something new, you may need a brief primer to orient you. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you go shopping.
Trends in School Furniture
As studies continue to associate smaller class size with student success, many teachers are experimenting with small group learning formats. This requires flexible, modular furniture that can be easily rearranged into different formations.
The “small school” philosophy, which is used in both smaller and larger classes, emphasizes interactive, student-oriented learning. This more often takes the form of partner work and roundtable discussions than the typical captive-audience class formation. Teachers find that allowing students to reshape their own space gives them a greater sense of belonging and personal attachment to the classroom, while also allowing them to mix with different members of their class.
If you’re interested in classroom rearrangements but concerned about disorder, consider a mobile modular furniture line. Lightweight, plastic chairs and tables with casters can be quickly and quietly pushed around by school children.
Modular furniture also takes the form of tables and chairs with leg extenders that “grow” with students. Modular furniture in general can be quite cost-effective, especially for schools that may use classrooms for different purposes on weekends, such as for Sunday school.
Technology in the Classroom
With the advance of technology, multi-media teaching approaches are increasingly making their way into the classroom. Even when schools are not fully outfitted with the latest technology, teachers often have access to personal laptops that they can use for presentations. These new classroom elements require efficient and space-saving furniture.
A mobile laptop podium is a great way to break multi-media into the classroom. These compact carts can be a welcome replacement for existing projectors, and they often have collapsing or retracting shelves that can be used for additional audio-visual equipment down the road. Alternatively, audio-visual carts are being built with extra platforms for laptops, so that teachers can project notes or presentations from their computers to their TV screens.
Integrating personal computers into the classroom can also happen in stages. If you prefer to use designated computer workstations where students take turns, these can easily be arranged along a wall or in a corner using modular desks. Computer furniture today is space-conserving and ergonomic, with split levels for monitor and keyboard. For individual student computers, though, monitor arms may be the best solution.
Ergonomics in the Classroom
By now everyone has heard something about the importance of ergonomics, or posture support, for bodies that sit as much as students do. Ergonomics originally caught on in business offices, due to the proliferation of workers’ compensation claims for repetitive stress injuries. But the classroom is where these stresses begin—more than ever, now that computers are so prevalent.
You may remember the discomfort of the little plastic chairs you had to sit in when you went through school. Today, there are studies to back it up. School furniture isn’t only responsible for early occurrences of back problems; it also impacts stamina, circulation to the brain, and alertness. All of these are reasons why it is in the interest of competitive schools to consider classroom ergonomics.
Ergonomic furniture design takes all kinds of creative forms. The main idea, though, is flexibility; the furniture should support a range of body sizes and, if possible, more than one position. Most importantly, it should support a stress-minimizing posture that preserves muscle and spine flexibility.
Chairs and Desks
If you’re looking to make basic ergonomic upgrades, chairs are the first place to start. Newer plastic chair models feature curvier, softer shapes that accommodate a wider range of body sizes and minimize pressure points. Some designs offer flexible seat or back panels for a more custom fit. A sloped seat edge helps tilt the pelvis forward and improve leg circulation. Lumbar support is also helpful in keeping correct posture.
In addition to seating, ergonomic studies are finding many benefits in allowing students to stand at least some of the time at school. Students burn excess energy, fidget less, and develop helpful muscles for sitting up straight later. Height-adjustable desks accommodate standing height as well as sitting height to allow students to alternate.
Height-adjustable desks vary as to how easily they adjust. Some less expensive models are only meant to be adjusted occasionally. These are a reasonable option for schools where students do not stay at the same desk all day. Desks can be set at varying heights and left there, while the students change seats. Another option is to set desks at standing height and intermittently use extended height chairs.
Computer Classrooms
In classrooms where computers are often used, ergonomics are especially important. Repetitive typing and mousing is hard on wrists and fingers, and incorrect arm position can create tension all the way up to the shoulders and neck. Eye strain is another hazard, especially because the way the eye focuses on a screen projecting light is different from the way focuses in the everyday world.
As a general rule, computer screens should be placed at least at arm’s length from the eyes. This can be difficult when monitors sit on shallow student desks. The top of the monitor should be level with the eyes so that the head stays in neutral position while reading. Glare should also be minimized, either through a filter or by a screen that can tilt slightly upward.
Articulating LCD monitor arms provide adjustability while also saving desk space for books and papers. Students can adjust the height, tilt, and distance of their monitors with the touch of a hand. When not in use, the arms easily contract or swing out of the way. Monitor arms can also support multiple monitors for setups where computers or desks are shared.
Correct typing posture should allow the forearms to relax at a 90-degree angle from the upper arms. This is easy with a height-adjustable desk, but articulating keyboard trays are another convenient solution. Like monitor arms, keyboard trays can be personally adjusted and stowed away when not in use. They also allow for a slight incline to reduce wrist extension.
Shopping on the Internet
For comparison shopping and bulk ordering, the Internet is easily the most pragmatic way to shop. Web sites offer the full inventory of a distributor in one place, and they have the capacity to provide much more detailed information on their products than print catalogs typically do. A larger selection and more detailed information increase the likelihood of finding the right product for every need on your list.
When you can bundle your order at one site, it saves shipping costs and often accumulates additional discounts. Web sites also have the ability to remember your purchasing history and offer you a more personalized shopping experience. After your first order, you will become eligible for future promotional offers that reflect your buying tendencies.
Enter a few specific things you’re looking for in the search box to get the best results. Look for Web sites that have taken the trouble to write something about each product. This will ensure that you are dealing with product experts, not just somebody computer-savvy enough to sell.
A good Web site should offer information on product durability, safety standards, and ergonomics. Make sure you understand how and when your order will be delivered. If you have additional questions, the company that has provided a well-developed Web site will also be your best bet for knowledgeable phone service.
Ultimately, it’s a new world out there in school furniture, so have a good look around. Consider your ergonomic options and your computer furniture options. Talk to product experts. There is a lot of thoughtfulness going into the school furniture design these days.
Megan Glomb is a product development writer at Ergo in Demand, www.ergoindemand.com.
