The Evolution of Student Desks and Chairs Throughout the Ages

The Evolution of Student Desks and Chairs Throughout the Ages

In the early 1900s, students were limited to simple wooden benches and hefty desks that were secured to the floor. While this seating hierarchy obviously allowed for discipline, it offered little comfort or mobility. If everyone had the same desk and were seated together, options were limited. The classroom was arranged and designed to engage students in lectures by teachers, not a collaborative effort among the students.

With the recent shift in education toward interactive doc and grading has more recently turned to the use of technology, unique school desks and modular tabletop seating are more common. The student now has the choice to arrange the desk seating into a collaborative space for group work, presentations, or even just quiet reading, definitely not possible with furniture bolted down.

Also significantly lighter than wood and iron, today’s desks and school chairs are being manufactured using lightweight metals and durable plastics or eco-friendly composites, while still being focused on longevity. Some have adjustable legs, casters, and even folding tops to clear tabletops for active working learning spaces.

More mixed and match modular furniture is being used for mixed up activity-based classrooms for student body type. Teachers and students both recognized the fluidity allowed when furniture can be blended together to complete the activity required, and removal and stackables can be set aside to clean up and just restore order.

Lastly, research and experience have recently indicated or collectively offer or recognize the benefits of comfortable, functional, and flexible education furniture styles or classrooms/learning environments leading improved time on task, collaboration and cell improvement, and less disciplinary action related to sudden impulse an action form a fidget seat learners. Teachers appreciate being able to quickly and easily rearranging the furniture to match the needs of the tasks while also being fun for the students.

Coming Soon….furniture or tables and desks are being developed with built-in docking charging stations, interactive surfaces, and smart storage solution.