Blogs

4 Factors to Consider When Choosing Sustainable Classroom Furniture

Schools with eco-friendly initiatives are on the rise as educators aim to create sustainable classrooms. Today, sustainable classroom storage, chairs and desks are popular options for classrooms in Australia. When selecting sustainable classroom furniture, consider choosing pieces that will meet the needs of your class and students. Take note that your furniture should not only be durable but also stylish.

4 Characteristics of Effective STEM Classroom Design

An effective STEM classroom cultivates a positive culture that is conducive to learning. When designing a STEM classroom, the goal is to create an environment that inspires students to be creative and collaborative. One way of designing a STEM classroom is to add adaptable and functional classroom furniture. These can work as key tools to prompt students to think out of the box.

Our Projects: Ridge View Secondary College

Office Line is proud to have provided our product for the newly completed Ridge View Secondary College in collaboration with Parry & Rosenthal Architects & the Department of Education.

Office Line to Participate in this Year’s National FutureSchools Expo

At Office Line, we are passionate about bringing quality furniture to the education sector.  Join us at the National FutureSchools Expo and Conferences 2019, a much-awaited education Australian convention.

The two-day event will be held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, from March 21 to 22, 2019. The first day will start from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and the second day will run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

What is the National FutureSchools?

Organised by EduTECH, the National FutureSchools Expo is the biggest education showcase in the country. With over 80 suppliers featured in two days, the exhibition aims to highlight a wide range of products and solutions that uphold and improve education. For education professionals, this exhibit allows an opportunity to meet the country's top vendors and invest in new technologies that will be beneficial to their institution.

A Makers Playground will be open to all event participants, where attendees can experience authentic learning in a simulated environment. There will also be a Robotics Demo on the exhibition floor where you can watch live demonstrations of robots performing a range of movements, such as playing sports, dancing and conducting rescue challenges.

Event Speakers

New York Times best-selling author Sir Ken Robinson will be at the National FutureSchools Expo to lend his expertise on creativity and innovation in education. He was a speaker at the prestigious TED Conference with over 300 million views in over 150 countries. Creative Schools: The Grassroots Revolution That’s Transforming Education, Robinson’s latest work, includes revolutionary research on Australia’s troubled educational system.

Lisa Rodgers, Chief Executive Officer for the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), will also be present at the event. Other speakers include Dr Gary Stager, Dan Haesler, Dr Kate Highfield and Dr Chip Kimball.

Event Participants

National FutureSchools will have five major conferences, designed for senior leadership in various roles within K-12 education. Those who work in schools and education ministries are highly encouraged to attend:

• Teaching Staff
  • Classroom Teachers
  • Computing Teachers
  • STEM Teachers
• School Leadership Teams
  • Principals
  • Deputy/Assistant Principals
  • Heads of Departments
  • Curriculum Leaders
  • Teaching Directors
  • Heads of Library
  • Leaders of eLearning
• Information Communication Technology Management
  • ICT Directors
  • ICT Managers and Directors
  • ICT Integrators and Facilitators
• Special Needs and Support
  • School Councillors/Therapists/Psychologists
  • Learning Support Officers
  • SEN Coordinators
• Systemic Leaders
  • Education Peak Bodies, Associations and Representative Bodies
  • Government Departments of Education

Where will Office Line be stationed?

You’ll see Office Line at Booth 713. Our EN range will be on display for browsing and will include the EN Classic, EN One Chair and Gratnells Tray Storage. Feel free to visit our booth to take a closer look at our selection.

Chairs, school desks and storage solutions all contribute to a student’s learning experience. As a first-class educational furniture supplier, we make sure we provide only durable and ergonomic furniture to your schools. Partner with Office Line by joining us this March or by calling us today. 

Project News: Emmanuel Catholic College

 

Office Line recently provided interior design services and supplied bespoke furniture solutions for Emmanuel Catholic College's new learning areas.

How to Develop the Physical Environment to Create Adaptable Learning Spaces

 

One of the ever-present challenges in the education sector is adapting to the different learning styles of each student. Different factors affect the learning experience, so creating adaptable learning spaces provides an ideal learning environment.

In 2016, New Zealand’s Ministry of Education conducted a study about the design features of learning spaces and its impact on the learning experience. The study concluded that both educators and students should be encouraged to utilise the opportunities of different learning spaces.

Developing the core features of a learning space can expand these opportunities. This article highlights the link between the physical features of a learning space with a student’s learning experience.

Lighting

Studies that discuss the effect of lighting on student performance are often focused on controlling lighting levels. Studies tend to agree that natural lighting is preferable because of higher levels of achievement in class. The limited illumination due to overcast weather, shorter days or not enough windows was found to be the downside of natural lighting. With artificial lighting, warm white lights were favoured over fluorescent lighting. Fluorescent strips had links to a reduction of a student’s focus and increased hyperactivity.

Strategically installing windows and skylights as a source of natural light has a positive effect on the learning experience of students. It is also an economic and environmentally sound solution as it reduces energy consumption.

Heating and Ventilation

Studies on heating appear to be similar to lighting, with a focus on the control of temperature levels. The negative effects caused by hot temperatures and stuffiness can lead to drowsiness and drops in the attention span of students.

The debate is ongoing about the optimal temperature as it varies depending on the type of activity being performed and individual preferences. For the best results, the classroom temperature can be adjusted based on feedback from the students and staff.

Acoustics

Focus on ambient noise and reverberation when it comes to learning space acoustics. The effects of poor acoustics can cause misinterpretation or distraction. One solution is to look at the layout of the learning area and identify the noisy areas, usually the larger open spaces. Discuss the use of sound deadening materials such as carpets, insulation and room partitions. Another option is the use of microphones for class presentations.

Furniture, fittings and equipment

A comfortable working environment is a key feature to improving the learning experience. Everything from school furniture, such as chairs, desks and storage spaces, to high tech whiteboards, computer access and charging stations contributes to a comfortable and convenient learning experience. According to the 2016 study, uncomfortable school chairs, in particular, were among the most commonly raised issue when students were asked about studying in the classroom.

For comfort, the size and shape of classroom chairs and stools should be designed, at least, to ergonomically match the average size of the year group; varying sizes of chairs would accommodate the range of sizes of students.

Since 1988, Office Line has been a trusted source of quality furniture to the educational sector in Australia. From kindergartens and secondary schools to colleges and universities, we provide everything from a set of chairs to a complete classroom fit-out.

We are proud of the personal and professional services we offer to our clients across the country.

Call 1800 333 116 and get in touch with us today.