'Active Learning': Taking the Classroom Into the Future

LONDON, November 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

The education sector is increasingly facing the challenge of how to respond to new generations, and meet their educational needs and learning expectations, according to research done by Steelcase Education.

Globally, students have evolved into tech savvy, connected individuals who work best in an engaged, participatory learning environment. The nature of the classroom is also changing, from the physical layout of the space, to the way educators share information. In addition, educators are feeling the pressure to deliver higher test results and increase engagement, often with restricted budgets. However, the classroom environment of front facing seats, set in rows, remains standard.

Sean Corcorran, General Manager of Steelcase Education, said, "The 21st century classroom needs to be a more flexible environment that helps students become engaged in their own learning journey.

"Classrooms need to adapt and become learner centric, adopting active learning and embracing technology that supports varied educational strategies."

In order to fill this gap, the classroom of today must consider how technology and the physical space are designed and integrated with pedagogy to create a more active and engaging experience for instructors and students alike. Pedagogy, technology and space, when carefully considered and intentionally designed, can establish new protocols for advanced learning environment solutions.

Classrooms can morph from lecture mode to teamwork to group presentation and discussion, and back again. Every seat can be the best seat in the house. Technology can be integrated in smart ways so everyone can use it. Classrooms just need to be carefully planned so that the control is placed in the hands of the students and instructors.

Steelcase Education has recently launched Verb™, an integrated mobile classroom collection which can transform any room into an active learning space. The collection includes tables, whiteboards and instructor stations, carefully designed to support a full range of teaching and learning styles.

The three components of Verb include:

• Instructor station. This unit provides easy access to storage and an adjustable lectern, which rotates 360-degrees in two directions to accommodate standing and perching postures during instruction.
• Student tables. Unique chevron shaped tables enhance sightlines, so students can see each other, the instructor and presenters in every mode.
• Board display. The easel allows for effective display, storage and presentation of the whiteboards, wherever collaboration might occur in the classroom. A durable wall track and hooks provide even more options for presentations.