The Post-Pandemic Classroom: Will Technology Still Drive Design?

July 28, 2021

Technology was a lifeline between students and educators during COVID, but even the biggest fans hit a tech-fatigue wall. As we move past the pandemic, will tech’s influence on K–12 classroom design remain the same, or has the pandemic been a game-changer for tech?

Turning Lemons into Learning Opportunities

Last year, schools handed out tens of millions of portable laptops, notebooks and tablets to enable remote learning. Now, all of those one-to-one devices and the knowledge of using them are coming back to the classroom, some of which might not be equipped to handle the deluge, from flexible furniture options to WI-FI.

Regardless, there seems to be consensus on two things. First, technology will continue to play a major role in the education landscape. Second, many experts believe that, in time, pandemic-driven technology “pivots” could become a pot of learning gold.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona told The Washington Post in spring of 2021, “There may be an opportunity to re-imagine what schools will look like. It’s always important we continue to think about how to evolve schooling so the kids get the most out of it.”

Re-Imagining Classroom Design

Granted, remote learning wasn’t, and isn’t, for everyone. The pandemic showed that most students learn best in person within a three-dimensional world, led by a teacher, surrounded by classmates and activities. That means a physical classroom.

Yet, the classroom, as we have known it for centuries, will also be re-imagined, said Anthony Salcito, vice president of education at Microsoft. He predicts technology will see schools morphing into “learning hubs.” In short, the effort schools were making before the pandemic to modernize classrooms will rev-up.

Scott Tierney, Microsoft’s director for teaching and learning strategy in Asia, sees the physical formality of classroom culture melting away.

“The classroom was important when you had to broadcast a certain message at a certain time to a certain group of kids. You had to have them in proximity. But ... that doesn’t have to dominate anymore,” he explained.

He said the question is, how can we use technology to rethink education. That includes examining how the design of learning spaces and classroom furniture can maximize tech’s potential and learning readiness. Case in point: Teach magazine reported, “The built environment sends cues to students about their value. Light, space, high-quality furnishings, flexible configurations, access to outdoor areas, and space for relationship building provide students with a sense of belonging and comfort.”

Schools Focus on Flexibility

Many schools needed tech upgrades long before 2020. But COVID-19 and emergency funding accelerated some districts’ efforts to better meet the needs of their tech-savvy students – and better prepare schools for future closures.

A recent EdTech article titled “Reimaging Post-Pandemic Classrooms for Today’s Learners” highlighted a few examples:

Sonoma (CA) Valley Unified School District

Sonoma was updating classrooms with new technology and flexible furniture before the coronavirus outbreak. This past year, the 3,500-student district completed the rollout across its nine schools.

The district standardized wireless mobile technology that consists of laptops, tablets and tablet holders that serve as a document camera; 75-inch TVs; media carts, and an interactive display device for video streaming.

The district also installed a webcam, microphones, voice amplification devices and a 24-inch monitor to enable hybrid instruction, with half the students in class and the other half joining via videoconferencing from their Chromebooks.

Wichita Falls (TX) Independent School District

Superintendent Michael Kuhrt said flexibility is the focus of two new schools set to open in 2024.

“Traditional schools don’t serve the needs of a 21st century learner,” Kuhrt said. “We want to give students a flexible schedule, flexible spaces and flexible learning modes.”

When the new high schools open, students will have the option to take a mix of in-person, online or hybrid courses. Each campus will feature a football-field-sized common area with flexible furniture where students can do online coursework. The district will extend the school day into the evening hours to give students flexibility with their schedules, too. If they work at night, they can sleep in and start school at 11 a.m.

Flexibility in- and out- of the Classroom

These and many other schools are using their pandemic strides to do what Scott calls a systemic shift away from “a teaching culture to a learning culture.” Real-time data, innovations like artificial intelligence (AI), and a range of new devices and tools will help transform roles and relationships.

Some of his broad tech-enabled predictions that will likely drive post-pandemic classroom design include:

STUDENTS will be empowered to learn for themselves in flexible, often collaborative ways, both inside and outside classrooms at their own pace. They will be able to follow their own interests and be challenged where appropriate.

TEACHERS will have access to individualized real-time data on how well each student is progressing – academically and emotionally – so they can devise new challenges and offer appropriate support for each child to move ahead.

PARENTS will be better connected to, and involved with, their child’s education with certainty, detail and confidence.

Smith System’s Classroom Furniture Fosters Tech

Today’s high-tech teaching models require planning, especially as students (and their devices) return to in-person learning, and teachers balance demands.

Portable laptops, notebooks and tablets need power, as do big screens and accessories for keeping students connected (some may remain remote learners). Students need reconfigurable surfaces and seating to keep sightlines open. Teachers need secure storage and fast flexibility.

Smith System® provides innovative, multi-functional, flexible K-12 furniture options.

Interchange® Multimedia Tables

Interchange Multimedia Table

This line of multimedia tables includes five contemporary classroom desks and tables. Each features legs that easily adjust (via leg inserts) to match with chair or stool heights. All include the option for a monitor mount and built-in power.

Choose from many shapes, like the unique curvilinear form of the 84-inch-long Interchange® Engage Multimedia Table. It provides clear sightlines to a central screen and comfortably sits two people along each side and two at the head of the table. The set-up is especially good for looping remote learners into collaborative discussions.

There’s also the 72-inch-long Interchange® Rectangle Multimedia Table, ideal for multimedia applications. For smaller groups, choose the 44-inch long Interchange® Medium Sized Multimedia Table.

Planner Access Station 30 Deep Two Student

Planner® Access Stations

The Planner® Access Station provides maximum strength and stability for students and computers, plus great security for cables and wires, thanks to a locking wireway on the backside. It’s available in three sizes, 30-inches deep by 30-inches wide (fits one student), up to 84-inches wide to fit three students and monitors. Casters are optional.

Power Strips and Modules

Our accessories help schools add functionality to virtually any of its products.

The Planner® Power Strip can be mounted on Planner® Studio series tables. For other Smith System® tables and desks, schools can mount the Soft Touch Dome Power Module. It’s UL listed and CSA certified with two, ten-foot 15-amp power cords, installed in a small cutout in the table top. Options include two or three simplex power outlets.

There’s also our Retractable Mini Power Module. Power access remains open during use and can be retracted into work surfaces with one finger.

Storage

Cascade® Mega-Case AV Presentation Cart

Schools may be moving away from paper, but they still need to cart and store tech tools. Plus, technology will never erase the need for hands-on learning supplies.

The Cascade® Powered AV Mid-Case or the Cascade® Mega-Case AV provide movable, lockable mobile classroom storage for AV equipment, and a durable work surface to hold instructor notes and 3D materials. It’s perfect for use as a 3D printer cart and includes 3D printer cart spool storage. Ventilation ports help cool electronic devices and projectors.

For device and everything-else storage, consider Cascade® Classroom Storage. Its cases, cabinets, towers, wardrobes and cubbies give teachers a method to manage it all and keep resources accessible for students. It’s the ultimate in classroom storage furniture in a finite footprint. Mobile storage units are available with totes or shelves, and in 18 colors.

Technology Has Its Limits

It’s worth repeating that technology can never replace teachers (who worked tirelessly to reach the students who had disengaged during the pandemic).

Though the recent education-tech boom has its pluses, it’s also had some unintended consequences, said Zachary Pardos with UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Education and the School of Information. He advocates for a course correction in our perceptions of what tech can and can’t do.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, agreed. “Staring at a screen all day is not optimal. Zoom fatigue is real.” So is the social isolation of too much solo tech.

We’ll Stay Pivot-Ready

Hopefully, another pandemic can be prevented. If not, tech-smart(er) educators will be ready to pivot again using new knowledge, modern classroom design, and flexible furniture inspired by Smith System®.