For ages, classrooms have only focused on providing knowledge to students. Educational boards and institutions keep upgrading their pedagogy and curriculum to match the new standards of Education. In this process, the topic of the physical comfort of students often takes a backseat. Students spend about 9 hours in school out of which they usually sit for 7-8 hours at their desk, which may not be manufactured for their optimal comfort. Here comes the role of classroom furniture ergonomics.

Let us know what it is and how crucial it is for students.

What is Classroom Ergonomics?

A single type of classroom furniture is not suitable for every student due to their height and body variation. However, several classrooms include conventional wooden desks and chairs that are not appropriate for the student’s body structure. Despite belonging to the same age group, the physical growth of students varies from each other. Therefore, ergonomic furniture is a must to keep the physical health of students in consideration.

Ergonomic furniture in classrooms eliminates physical hindrances, improves body posture, and allows enough movement in order to offer a comfortable sitting environment. Factors like seating arrangement and design of desks and chairs form a crucial part, while discussing classroom ergonomics, as they directly contribute to the performance of the students. Still, schools have not been able to adopt it fully.

Why is it neglected?

The reason behind the neglect of ergonomic furniture can be its durability and price. Several schools opt for durable and less expensive furniture, as children are not always careful with them. Having said that, some schools have made grass root movements to reform the classroom setup.

Blending Curriculum and Ergonomics

Along with ergonomic furniture, it is extremely important to consider the curriculum as well. As the latest classrooms have active learning environments, it is vital to upgrade the furniture accordingly. Portable furniture, that can be moved, stacked, arranged, and stored easily, is highly useful in this scenario. Some of the benefits include:

• Developing better oral communication, leadership skills, and higher-level thinking.
• Gaining confidence in different areas by giving exposure.
• Create new ideas and solutions to problems and increase individual as well as group achievement.

Classroom furniture plays a vital role in the performance of a student. This is why schools are constantly investing in the latest furniture for a brighter future for their children. It is extremely important to think beyond the conventional classroom design to create an ideal learning space for the future generation. As learning is evolving from the ‘sit still and listen’ teaching style, the adoption of ergonomic classroom furniture is also witnessing significant growth.