According to School Planning & Management/College Planning & Management Magazine, the proper selection of school furniture and equipment plays an important role in creating an effective, high performance learning environment. As outlined in SP&M/CP&M's 2012 Annual Construction Report, the demand for school space and improved facilities has not lessened, but the consequence of the 2008 recession, combined with the anti-tax sentiment has resulted in significantly decreased spending for new school construction. The trend has turned to upgrading and renovating older buildings instead of building entirely new facilities. In some cases, this means reusing some of the existing furniture and equipment. But in some instances, new furniture is being used to turn an old static space into an interactive, collaborative learning environment. Here are some of the factors currently given top priority when it comes to considering the upgrade of furniture and equipment in the classroom.
Ergonomics (Human Factors) — At its simplest, ergonomics literally means the science of work. It has long been a key criterion in creating learning environments that keep students focused and comfortable. In the past, it was thought that too much body movement resulted in the loss of focus. Studies now show that providing flexibility or rocking features within the furniture supports the body's natural inclination to shift and vary postures. NOVA has been a proponent of good ergonomics for many years. Our Downview product has proved to be ergonomically beneficial — and with the advent of our new widescreen solution, remains a viable ergonomic alternative to standard desktop placement of computer monitors. Form and Function — Many education programs provide real-world learning environments meant to mimic the professional or technical workplace. Hands-on classrooms are used to help students develop the practical skills needed for technical or clinical career paths.
A student role-playing in a clinical situation optimally should have furniture and equipment that is similar to what they will be using post-graduation. Conference rooms and meeting spaces can help students become comfortable with the corporate world. NOVA's complete line of corporate furniture is well suited for any business environment and is adaptable to most any type of work activity. Student Comfort — With a wide range of ages and body types, furniture must have flexibility to adapt to different bodies as well as different ideas of comfort. In a recent CNN report, it was stated that more than one-third of children and teens are overweight or obese and proving too large to fit into traditional school desks. With adjustable tables and chairs, students are able to exercise some control over their environment. NOVA also offers adjustable height lecterns for instructor comfort as well as adjustable and fixed height ADA desks and tables. Flexibility to Accommodate Different Teaching and Learning Styles — As new teaching pedagogies emerge and classrooms become more dynamic, furniture needs to respond.
Furniture should be easily reconfigured to support a variety of group sizes, enabling interaction and collaboration. NOVA's line of collaboration tables provide a variety of configurations for group learning with technology enhancements built right in. In tough economic times, renovating a facility might not be an option, but using furniture to re-purpose, remodel, and recreate classroom space is. NOVA provides a variety of options for all learning and working environments with or without technology options for all levels of learning, all types of students, and all kinds of teaching styles. Source: Adapted from School Planning & Management/College Planning & Management Magazine's Quick Facts series, #103, prepared by Deb Moore. classroom computer desks with monitor lifts,If you've been blowing off your workout because you don't have time to go to the gym, you no longer have that excuse. All you need is a chair to get a full-body, barre-inspired workout. The following eight moves were designed by CosmoBody dance pro Jennifer Johnson to get your heart pumping and engage just about every muscle you've got.
Unless otherwise noted, do 10 to 15 reps of each move in the order listed below. Repeat the sequence two to three times for an excellent workout anywhere. 1. Incline Push-Ups: Place both palms on the seat of the chair and walk your feet back to a plank position. Keeping your body in a straight line between the top of your head and your heels, bend your elbows and lower your body toward the seat. Pause, then push up through your palms to return to starting position. What it works: Your core, chest, back, and arms. 2. Plank Knee Cross: Place both forearms on the seat of the chair and step your feet back into a plank position. Keeping your hips low and core tight, bring your right knee to the inside of your left arm. Pause, then return to start and repeat on the opposite leg, this time touching your left knee to the inside of your right arm. What it works: Your abs, back, and butt. 3. Standing Side Crunch: Stand behind the chair and turn to the side so the back of it is on your right side.
Gently place your right hand on the back of the chair. Extend your left hand up and overhead, and your left leg out to the side. Point your toe, keep the muscles in your arm engaged, and brace your core as you simultaneously lift your left leg to the side and drop your left arm to tap your raised heel. Release your arm and leg, and complete 10 to 15 reps before switching sides.What it works: Your obliques, arms, and butt. 4. Standing Hydrant Kickbacks: Stand a few feet behind the chair and bend at the waist to place both palms on the back of a chair. Shift your weight to your left heel as you lift your right leg straight up and out behind you. Without dropping your foot or knee, bring your right knee out to the side and in to touch your right shoulder. Pause, then swing the leg back out to the side and behind you to starting position. That's one rep. Complete 10 to 15 reps before switching sides. What it works: Your abs, obliques, and butt. 5. Leg Raise: Stand a few feet behind the chair and bend at the waist to place both palms on the back of a chair.
Shift your weight to your left heel as you lift your right foot off the ground, and point it out behind you with your toes turned out to the right. Brace your core and glutes as you lift the right leg up and overhead. Pause, then bring the toes back down to touch the floor behind you. Complete 10 to 15 reps before switching sides.What it works: Your glutes, hamstrings, and lower back. 6. Seat Taps: Stand facing the front of the chair. Simultaneously lift your right arm and tap the seat of the chair with your left toes. Immediately bring your left foot back down to the ground, and alternate sides so you lift your left arm and tap the seat with your right toes. Continue to alternate taps as quickly as possible for 45 to 60 seconds, using your arms for momentum and balance. What it works: Your heart, legs, abs, and arms. 7. Fan Kicks: Stand facing the front of the chair with your arms out to the sides. Shift your weight to your right side as you lift and point your left toes. Bring them across your body, then up over the chair in a counter-clockwise circle, and back down to the ground.
Repeat on the right side, this time lifting your right leg, bringing it across your body to the left side, then up and over the chair in a clockwise direction. What it works: Your hip flexors, thighs, and abs. 8. Triceps Knee Tucks: Stand with the chair facing forward on your left side. Then, bend at the waist as you place your right palm on the seat and your left palm on the back of the chair, elbow pointing straight up. Point your left toe and extend it up and out to the side until your foot is higher than your head. Then bring your knee in to the body and place it gently on the chair, keeping your left triceps engaged for support the entire time. Press into your palms as you extend the leg back out to starting position. That's one rep. Complete 10 to 15 reps before switching sides.What it works: Outer thigh, triceps, core, and glutes. Want to try this workout with Jennifer Johnson in real time? Watch the video on CosmoBody, the new fitness and lifestyle channel. You can get a *~FrEe~* 10-day trial here!