Choosing capable workstations, acoustically sound cork bulletin boards, and other classroom furniture, as well as considering different ways to think of and use space and student desk layout and being alert to ambiance in your classroom environment, can all contribute to, or distract from, student motivation and learning.

Consider flexible classroom design layouts. Contemporary education accommodates both individual learning and learning in small groups, ergonomics, and the student's sense of well-being. Maximizing incentives and minimizing distractions is important; yet, in addition, tight budgets often call for the desks and chairs to accommodate multiple uses and ages of students.
 
Ergonomic classroom designs benefit learning. Ergonomics is defined in the dictionary as "an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely." These human factors include desk factors, computer and keyboard placement, lighting, reading distance, height, and ease of access to files, among other factors.

Create a functional classroom environment with appropriate workstations. Rather than placing computer equipment on regular desks or on tables, classroom design utilizing adjustable workstations specifically constructed to accommodate computer equipment offers plentiful advantages for the user.

Numerous studies have proven the importance of correct desk ergonomics and computer posture in reducing physical ailments and increasing productivity. Increased functionality also allows increased flexibility.

Classrooms can serve several different age groups when the workstations can be easily adjusted. Check the smooth and quick adjustment possible with pneumatic workstations and crank workstations, as examples. These come in both single and dual user widths. There are also workstations allowing individual adjustment of keyboard platforms even when two people are using the workstation.
 
Traditional front-facing classroom furniture is no longer standard. Most educators have come to believe that the placement of desks should foster community and cooperative learning, so there's now a greater emphasis on group learning and agile classroom design. Selecting mobile workstations or desks that can be easily moved where needed or set into innovative arrangements such as "U' or "fishbowl" concentric circles, or using workstations specifically designed to be clustered into groups, offer more benefits in these type of environments.

There's increasing awareness of the necessity for un-crowded seating arrangements, plenty of "elbow room," and seating that allows individuals to move without distracting from the instruction of others around them. Some studies suggest that when teachers adjust the environment to match student preferences, an improvement in academic performance and personal behavior results.
 
 Classroom environment acoustics is critical in learning. Numerous studies have shown the detriment of noise upon learning within the classroom. Sometimes, students literally cannot hear the instructor. Other times, the sounds are distracting and, at times, an annoying distraction affecting emotions. Many schools are designed without any buffering materials. Typical classrooms are constructed using brick or cement walls, hard floors, metal-framed desks, high ceilings, broad undraped windows, and large whiteboards or chalkboards. Most of these items encourage sound vibration and none absorb sound.
 
Faulty acoustics need to be corrected, while additional sound absorption material can reduce the effects of noise. Ensuring strategic placement of large cork bulletin boards within the classroom can have a significant effect, because cork is well-respected for its ability to "swallow" noise. Noise doesn't bounce off cork, and it can also reduce mechanical and noise vibration by absorbing reverberations. Some schools or teachers have, literally, painted over cork bulletin boards to create a colorful backdrop, but the addition of the paint surface has reduced the acoustic benefits in those situations, as paint does not absorb sound.  

Bulletin boards, including vinyl tack boards and mobile presentation display boards, also play a vital function as a backdrop for upbeat classroom decorations and in easily displaying student work, projects, and announcements.
 
Since the invention of the blackboard, writing boards have been a primary means of educating large groups of students in the classroom. When a classroom is designed in the traditional row method, situating one or two large chalkboards or whiteboards in the front of the room has some benefit. Yet, when a room uses flexible seating arrangements, there is definite benefit to ensuring there are writing boards in locations that are easily viewed by people seated in different locations. This allows different teams to use boards close to their own location without disrupting other students in the room. It also reduces the necessity of students twisting in their seats and straining their necks to see different boards. Placing children's easels at different locations in younger age classrooms can be another perfect accommodation facilitating young group interaction.
 
Lighting and glare is a factor that needs to be addressed for your classroom design. Glare may make writing on the board unreadable for some students, dependent on their seating location. Also, some people work better in low light, while others work best in brighter light. Some students may become hyper in bright light. Attention to these factors and establishing different lighting conditions in sections of the classroom can offer students a respite from uncomfortable illumination.

There are now some boards made of materials and processes that can reduce glare or increase clarity in other ways. Some boards offer the benefit of reduced surface light distortion and also demonstrate improvement in contrast sensitivity and visual acuity to the human eye by three-fold. Some chalkboards are also quality built with a finish that enhances visibility and color contrast.

This information is courtesy of Ergo In Demand, www.ergoindemand.com.