INSpirtion
Bug List Results
Four classes of freshmen biology, 118 students, were surveyed using the Bug List protocol.
4 common concerns were identified showing up on 40 or more bug slips...
Another 5 concerns were identified showing up on 10-30 bug slips ...
In effort to expose students to as many options as possible, I made a power point presentation for students to illustrate the different types of chair and table options that could be used in our room. Based on these photos we discussed pros and cons for different options for our classroom furniture.
In small groups of 3 or 4 students, students were asked to identify things they did not like about the current chairs and tables and, based on the slideshow and class discussion, to identify what were the most important qualities they would like to see in new classroom furniture. The results follow.
CHAIRS ....
Old Chairs - too hard, hurts your tailbone, not mobile, you cannot lean back in them, they are "squeaky", no place for feet, ugly, and they hurt your back
Like to see in New Chairs -
DESKS ....
Old Desks - unstable or wobbly, uncomfortable height - cause you to hunch over, their ugly, noisy or "squeaky", too close together
Like to see in New Desks -
Additional information from class discussions
Four classes of freshmen biology, 118 students, were surveyed using the Bug List protocol.
4 common concerns were identified showing up on 40 or more bug slips...
- Chairs are uncomfortable
- Tables are wobbly, unstable, ugly
- The space between desks and chairs is inadequate, it is difficult to move around; not enough lab table space
- The temperature in the room is often hot, humid, and uncomfortable
Another 5 concerns were identified showing up on 10-30 bug slips ...
- Wall color boring, lack of color
- Lighting is too bright, it gives some students a headache
- The smart board is not reliable, it is hard to see in a number of positions in the room - it has poor angles
- at times the room smells
- the animals (especially the birds) can be a distraction for some students
In effort to expose students to as many options as possible, I made a power point presentation for students to illustrate the different types of chair and table options that could be used in our room. Based on these photos we discussed pros and cons for different options for our classroom furniture.
In small groups of 3 or 4 students, students were asked to identify things they did not like about the current chairs and tables and, based on the slideshow and class discussion, to identify what were the most important qualities they would like to see in new classroom furniture. The results follow.
CHAIRS ....
Old Chairs - too hard, hurts your tailbone, not mobile, you cannot lean back in them, they are "squeaky", no place for feet, ugly, and they hurt your back
Like to see in New Chairs -
- Cushion, Soft
- Mobile and Swivel
- Height adjustable
- Flexible back to the chair
- Foot rest / place to put feet
- Arm rest
- Not attached to the desk
DESKS ....
Old Desks - unstable or wobbly, uncomfortable height - cause you to hunch over, their ugly, noisy or "squeaky", too close together
Like to see in New Desks -
- Mobile
- Adjustable height or Variety in heights
- Variety in shapes
- Some with monitors and/or charging outlets
- Stable
- White board surfaces
Additional information from class discussions
- A variety of seating choices was viewed as a positive
- A variety of table heights was viewed as a positive; strongest support was for adjustable height tables vs. tables of various fixed heights
- Use of color to group works spaces was viewed positively; but the colors need to work in harmony not compete with each other
- Approximately 2/3's of the students strongly preferred a back to their chairs for support; about 1/3 were open to seating without backs
- About 3/4's of the students were comfortable with having different types of tables and chairs while about 1/4 were uncomfortable with this concept and preferred each student having the same desk and chair - a more uniform look
- Having some tables that can double as additional lab tables to free up space at the lab benches was viewed as a strong positive
- Using the current lab stations as work spaces to free up space in the front half of the room was viewed as a positive
- While a small group of students considered the animals a distraction; there was no interest in removing the animals from the room - possibly moving the birds to the rear of the room was suggested
- We did not have a viable solution for better temperature control in the room
Reflection
When I started this journey and completed my application for the grant, I thought I'll get some new tables and chairs on wheels and my problems will be solved.
Now two months into the process my thought process has significantly changed and expanded.
I now realize ...
Now two months into the process my thought process has significantly changed and expanded.
I now realize ...
- This process is really not about changing the furniture in my classroom, its more about changing how teaching and learning take place in my classroom.
- Not every student needs to have the same type of chair and the same type of desk in the room; it is beneficial to create different work spaces in the room that use a variety of seating and work surfaces.
- Comfort matters to students and what makes a student comfortable is not one size fits all approach. Student choice in seating in work space helps create comfortable work environments.
- When it comes to classroom furniture, students give high value to the furniture being flexible, adjustable, comfortable, and adding color to the space.
- Just changing the furniture in a classroom does not, by itself, change the teaching and learning that occurs in the space; it takes a skilled teacher to unlock the potential of a new classroom design.