Is everyone sitting comfortably?
How an improvement in the physical environment improves learning outcomes...
In 2003, researchers at Massey University published an alarming report. 96% of students in three New Zealand secondary schools were seated at furniture that was unsuitable for their body size. In primary schools, we discovered, the same was true. Most, if not all, the children were sitting at desks and chairs that were wrong.
96% of students were seated at furniture that was unsuitable for their body size.
Furniture mismatch is thought to contribute to the high prevalence of reported musculoskeletal disorders and low back pain among adolescents. Such disorders, which can range from 28% to 50% of the adolescent population, have been shown to be a strong predictor of future back pain.
28 – 50% of adolescents report musculoskeletal disorders and low back pain.
Not only is the furniture height a problem, but chairs which have a fixed position are likely to meet only 30% of the postural support requirement of students. What’s needed is for the chair seat and back to pivot separately, enabling genuine relief of pressure on the legs in both the reclining and forward seated positions.
Fixed position chairs meet only 30% of students’ postural support requirements.
When Furnware introduced its height-based furniture range, with the revolutionary Bodyfurn® dynamic chair, students immediately noticed the improvement. 92% say it’s better than other school furniture and 90% said they were much more comfortable.
90% of students say they are much more comfortable in the Bodyfurn® system from Furnware.
Because the students are sitting more comfortably, they fidget less and concentrate more. Classrooms are quieter, with less disruption and greater engagement. With desks and chairs tailored to their personal needs, students display a greater sense of ownership and belonging. All of this translates to better behaviour and a more pleasant climate overall. 80% of teachers say that students sit still for longer with less fidgeting. 71% say the Bodyfurn® system makes teaching easier.
71% of teachers say the Bodyfurn® system from Furnware makes teaching easier.
What we are now exploring how more flexible classroom layouts can change the interpersonal dynamic between teacher and students, providing empowerment, a greater sense of responsibility and greater cooperation. The more Furnware learns about the classroom environment, the greater the contribution we can make to better learning outcomes.
Sources: "Development of a furniture system to match student needs in New Zealand schools",
AC Nielsen research report. Both available on request from Furnware.
90% of New Zealand principals and teachers say Furnware’s Bodyfurn® range has helped improve the overall classroom environment.
The AC Nielsen findings
So much research went into the development of the products in Furnware’s Bodyfurn® range that we thought it only appropriate to have the things we were saying about the furniture independently verified. March 2006, market research company AC Nielsen interviewed at random 42 principals, 79 teachers and 229 students from New Zealand primary, middle and secondary schools with Bodyfurn® in the classroom. Here are some of the things they found…
Teachers and Principals:
- 90% said Bodyfurn® had helped improve the overall classroom environment
- 81% said Bodyfurn® is good value for money
- 80% said students sit longer with less fidgeting
- 75% said students were more focused with better concentration
- 71% said Bodyfurn® helped make teaching easier
Students:
- 92% said it’s better than other school furniture
- 90% said they were much more comfortable
- 71% said they were able to concentrate better
- 77% said that overall it helped them to learn better
If you would like to know more about the AC Nielsen findings, email Pat Kane at Furnware.
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