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Why School Furniture is Critical to Learning OutcomesNichole Moser

+Learning is IMPORTANT

Noun:

1. The acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, practice, or study, or by being taught.

2. Knowledge acquired in this way.

True learning affects achievement – true learning affects future – true learning affects success

+Key factors affecting learning:

Resources – community, school

Attitude towards education and learning

Home environment

Personality

Teacher and pedagogies

Education facilities

+Mr. Maslow says…

+Assure the foundation…

Physiological state must be addressed – primary need

Ones physical state – fed, hydrated, rested,

This includes being physically comfortable and free of pain

+What factors can schools affect?

Resources and learning environments

Curriculum

Comfort

Security

+What factors can facilities affect?

How can facilities folks contribute to positive learning outcomes?

Appropriate learning environments – engaging, allowing for multiple pedagogies, readily available resources, etc

Comfortable/pain free experience – ergonomics and movement supported

+Furniture is key

+Problem with the one armed bandits…

Hard, static seat prohibit movement of the user

Seat and back create points in the body that inhibit blood flow and circulation

Inherently difficult to move

These “issues” apply to many currently employed furniture “solutions” in the classroom

+Additional concern

QUALITY!

Quality affects: User experience Mobility of the product Ongoing function of the product Asset versus liability – Budget!...you save $ with quality

products

+Audience participation…

Just a little exercise for everyone…

Stick one arm straight out from your shoulder to the side – and hold it steady there for 2 minutes

Ask yourself “How does it feel?” – sore, fatigued

Now stick your other arm out to the side but continuously bend and the straighten it at the elbow to keep your arm moving – do this for 2 minutes

Ask yourself “How does it feel?”

That’s the beauty of movement

+Movement and Learning

Say hello to the Cerebellum…

+Cerebellum – not just for movement …

The last place in the cerebellum where information is processed before entering the cortex – the Denate Nucleus – is actually missing in most primates…only those that have demonstrated the highest learning capabilities possess

Denate nucleus is required for the cerebellum to communicate with any part of the body – including the parts of the brain that compose and conceive coherent and creative thought – ventral side is responsible for higher cerebellar function

Processes movement and processes learning

+Movement and blood flow

Movement and brain function are further correlated when one considers blood flow.

Blood flow is paramount to the “life” and function of all organs – including the brain

Movement = increased blood flow = more oxygen to the brain

+Additional considerations

Movement triggers the body to release more brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) – which is a natural substance which boosts the ability of neurons to communicate with one another

Movement allows the body to properly manage stress – ongoing stress has been linked to cognitive function and dysfunction onset for decades

+Movement applies not just to bodies

+Movement empowers learning

Physical environments that plan and allow for movement and mobility of the furniture empower learning

Furniture that is easily moved allows for a classroom to serve multiple teaching and learning styles

Teaching and learning styles that are shown to increase learning retention

+Furniture layout

Lecture – traditional style

Instructor lead small groups

Group work & discussion

Multiple posture support

Maximize floor space

+So why aren’t we?

Don’t believe there is a link to learning

Product not available

Cost

+Cost

Maybe should be budget discussion – not cost

The true cost versus benefit is full of tangible and intangible elements

The intangible – what if we don’t support the learning of the child who could have cured cancer? solved for renewable energy source? negotiated world peace? started the business that would have hired your children or grandchildren? … paid the taxes that will pay for your CPP and ongoing healthcare costs?

+Lets talk tangibles

Price versus price – your budgets and purchasing should consider MUCH more than simply price…

Tangible costs that need to be considered: Price Quality/durability and therefore repair costs & future prices Waste – environmental and handling costs Liability Cost of acquisition – labour and time

+Ask yourself this

How many folks are involved in making a purchase within your organization?

Who are they?

How much does those individuals earn per hour?

How many hours and days does it take to complete the purchase process?

+Average Salaries

Buyer $54,339, Purchaser $48,590, Senior Buyer $63,094, Junior Buyer $39,152

School Custodian: $30,847

Facilities Operator: $41,451

Facilities Manager: $63,552

Accounting Clerk: $32,938

School Principal: $77,632

Director within school board: $82,628

Salaries as of 1/23/2013 in CAD – reference: http://www.wowjobs.ca/

+Purchase process

How do you know you need “product a”?

How do you know that “product a” exists and is the right product?

How do you know if its better or the same as “b”, “c”, etc

How do you know when to purchase?

How do you know who sells “product a”?

How do you notify sellers? …

+Everything considered

Furniture is indeed critical to positive learning outcomes

We can only control certain aspects of a child’s learning in the positions we are in and we are all committed to doing what we can to best support and improve those outcomes

Furniture is a big piece of the what you can control

+Furniture is a key component

Furniture physically interacts with the student – you need to support movement and circulation to positively impact a students ability to maintain concentration, and actively engage their minds into the lesson

Further, furniture that is mobile is needed to allow for multiple learning styles to be easily transitioned into and out of to engage the student and allow for greater retention

All factors of cost need to be considered – not just price – when determining what we can do to help students succeed

Benefits all of us – job well done today, future better supported for us and the employers/employees of tomorrow

+Furniture is a key component

Allow their bodies to move – allows them to learn

Allow the furniture to move – allows them to remember what they learn

An engaged learner will be more successful in the classroom and in life

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Questions?

Discussion…

Thank you for participating