Page 16 - The Edge - BTS 2019

FLEXIBLE CLASSROOMS Options might include balance balls, wobble stools, oor
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 seats, wobble cushions, soft couches – anything other than a
traditional seat, but don’t remove all traditional seats.
Giving students a choice of where to sit or even stand at
D’Angelo displayed photos of 21 century workplaces, bright an upright table gives them a feeling of empowerment. “ ey
st
colors, with employees actually sprawled on the oor working take ownership of their learning,” she said
with their laptops. During her presentation, D’Angelo provided this quote
“ ese are the workplaces that we need to get students from Kayla Delzer, an author: “Outside the windows of our
prepared for,” D’Angelo said. “A exible learning environment classroom is a dynamic, fast-paced, and ever-changing world
does just that. A classroom designed for exibility should full of choices. How can we expect our students to solve
include a variety of grouping areas, multiple seating options problems and make choices independently if we constantly
and spaces for varying learning styles.” solve their problems and make their choices for them?”
Flexible layouts should be driven by students’ interest. Open, Flexible seating can also help students with ADD (attention
exible spaces should support what D’Angelo referred to as the deficit disorder), ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity
four Cs – collaboration, communication, critical thinking and disorder) and ASD (autism spectrum disorder), she said.
creativity. Another bene t? “It’s just downright fun,” D’Angelo said.
“ is is what the 21 century “Flexible seating makes learning
st
employer is looking for, whether “This is what the 21st century employer fun. Students are more engaged,
students are coming out of high active, and enthusiastic. It
school with a trade or out of is looking for, whether students are makes coming to school fun.”
college,” D’Angelo said. “Can coming out of high school with a Howard Kropp, Director
those kids collaborate? Do they of Purchasing, Washington
know how to work together? trade or out of college. Can those kids Elementary School District, who
Critical thinking – can they collaborate? Do they know how to facilitated the presentation, said
solve a problem? And creativity exible seats a ect all types of
– exible seating supports that.” work together? Critical thinking – can students – the shy, the leader,
A key feature is mobility. and everyone in between.
“Mobile tables and furniture they solve a problem? And creativity – “When kids get in these small
units are a must in the 21st fl exible seating supports that. … Mobile groups, it’s amazing,” Kropp
century classroom design,” tables and furniture units are a must in said. “ e shy kid is no longer
D’Angelo said. “It encourages shy.”
collaborative learning and the 21st century classroom design. It Flexible seating provides
supports their natural need to encourages collaborative learning and a high degree of student
move.” engagement, according to
The furniture must be on supports their natural need to move.” D’Angelo. “Student-focused
wheels so the classroom layout learning should be challenging,
can be changed quickly and — Stacy D’Angelo, Professional Development engaging, and enthusiastic,”
easily. Depending on the subject Specialist for Lakeshore she said. “Flex seating gives
being taught, a classroom could you that. It blends individual,
be made to look di erent from collaborative team, and large
morning to afternoon, D’Angelo said. group work. A 21st century classroom environment is
She also recommended having multiple seating options: designed to support a variety of grouping areas, along with
“Give students options that allow them to rock, bounce and spaces for varying learning styles.”
rotate while they are sitting. Kids need to move. It enhances What’s more, teachers take on the role of a facilitator.
circulation, sends oxygen to the brain, and enables them to “ ere are multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate
refocus and concentrate throughout the day.” and share what they are learning,” D’Angelo said. “Students
Studies suggest that children who participate in short bouts receive instant feedback. Teachers are not lecturing – they
of physical activity within the classroom have more on-task are no longer the sole provider of information. Students are
behavior. in small groups. e teacher can propose a question to the
“Uncomfortable students can be distracted and entire class. en they communicate and collaborate with one
unproductive, which can lead to discipline issues as well,” another. e students’ ideas and voices become the center of
D’Angelo said. “Flexible seating encourages students to nd attention.”
their ‘smart seat’ – a seat that’s going to make them the best
possible learner. What a great way to show your support for Stacy D’Angelo can be reached at: sdangelo@
student-focused learning, by creating a classroom from a lakeshorelearning.com.
student’s point of view!” Howard Kropp can be reached at: (602) 347-2610.

16 THE EDGE | BACK TO SCHOOL 2019