Showcase of Innovative Learning

The Showcase of Innovative Learning was interesting. I feel like the event was half-geared more towards administrators with the different booths presenting products. It was interesting to learn about all the different products that are being offered to schools to create more dynamic classrooms. I really enjoyed going around and learning about all the innovation going on in the classroom with the students who came to show their tech.

I really enjoyed hearing from and seeing the furniture that () offers. I've always wondered why students sit in the single seats, in rows in the classroom. Its hard for students to collaborate and even comfortably sit in order to pay attention in class. I often hear from students that the desks are too cramped or there are issues with students sitting in front of another student who is really tall because their legs reach so far. I've seen some of the alternative furniture being piloted at Dos Pueblos HS and Goleta Valley JH and I really enjoy the fact that the chairs don't really allow for students to be slouching, and the desks seem to be at a great height for students no matter the height. I didn't think the furniture in the classroom was really important when it comes to student engagement because the traditional desks can be so easily turned to create groups of different numbers. However, seeing the classrooms with the new furniture, I can see that students are more inclined to do group work or even just talking to their table partner when they need help. Of course it makes it easier for students to socialize, but that isn't always necessarily a bad thing.

What I really liked about some of the furniture on display in the tech room was that the tables had outlets on them. Now that SB Unified is one-to-one, I think it would be great if classrooms had desks with outlets on them because it allows for students to be charging their iPads while still integrated in the classroom. Currently, if students don't have a charged iPad, they have to put it at the edge of the classroom, far from where they sit, and be excluded from utilizing their technology. There is always the argument that students should be responsible for ensuring their iPads are fully charged, but not every student is able to charge their iPads at home. It would help with equity, ensuring students aren't penalized for not having the extra income to charge the iPad at home.

Also with the larger desks for 2 seats, there is more desk space for the students to work, which is often an issue with the small single desks currently being used in classrooms. They are able to work more collaboratively with the extra space. They are able to lay posters out and use multiple resources all spread out on the table without losing any materials. There was also a white board table that could flip to become a "poster" for students, which was SO cool. It just really helps bring our world into the future, quick mistake changes and taking paper out of the equation.

I think the more I learn about alternative furniture, the more I begin to understand and realize how restrictive the traditional desks are.