Tom Arundel’s Post

In this newsletter, K-12 Dive delves into how schools are redesigning space in lockerless environments. As locker popularity wanes, schools are removing them and finding other uses for the spaces.

In the dynamic landscape of education, creating an optimal learning environment is paramount to fostering student success. One often overlooked aspect of this equation is the lighting within educational facilities. Verbatim’s new Campus backlit panels, provide a cost-effective and functional solution that not only illuminates classrooms but also offers a multitude of features that contribute to an enhanced educational experience. #ledlighting #lightingsolutions #education

The article describes how the size of classrooms and their ceiling height can impact students' learning and exam performance. In many rural schools, the learning conditions aren't great. Classrooms are often poorly ventilated and dirty, with low ceilings and not enough light or ventilation. These things can make it hard for kids to stay motivated and pay attention to their studies. Research shows that the size of the room where exams are held can affect students in different ways. Bigger rooms might have more distractions, like noise from other students moving around, which makes it tough to concentrate. Also, things like room temperature, how good the lighting is, and air circulation are important for making a comfortable environment that helps students focus on their studies or exams. #schoolenvironment #studentsmentalhealth #schoolinfrastructure

Interesting facts about yellow school buses: Glimpse a fleet of buses parked at any U.S. public school, and you’ll notice they’re all the same deep yellow — and it’s been that way for nearly a century. In an effort to standardize school bus construction around the country, thus ideally making them both safer and cheaper to mass-produce, school transportation officials met at Columbia University in 1939 to discuss the universal color for these vehicles. Fifty shades were hung up on the walls, ranging from lemon to deep orange. The color that was finally selected — known today as National School Bus Glossy Yellow, or Color 13432 — was chosen because of its ability to stand out from the background. Education officials didn’t know it at the time, but Color 13432 is wired to capture our attention, as the shade stimulates two of the three types of cones in the human eye — sending double the transmission to the brain compared to many other colors. That’s one reason a big yellow school bus is just so hard to miss. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gNJreSk8

What you need to know about School Buildings

I almost had to stop a punch-up yesterday! 🥊 Well, it wasn’t quite that bad, but things did get somewhat heated in the P&C meeting at our son’s school last night, when the topic of NSW’s plans to shut down open-plan classrooms came up. Parents, understandably wanting to know how this will impact the quality of teaching and learning for their children. It’s a contentious one. On the one side of the fence, we have that open-plan work environments are less authoritarian and encourage collaboration. Those against the idea, argued that open-plan classrooms result in increased noise levels and unwanted distractions. Student numbers will play a large part in the effectiveness of these layouts, as too, does the competency of the teaching staff, but research has shown that there are both benefits and drawbacks to an open-plan work environment. The same debate can be had about modern work-place environments. Do you prefer to be in an open-plan office or separated into smaller, closed off areas? Or, do you have the benefit of choosing both? What works best for you and your team? #workspaces #openplan #officeplans #collaboration #distractions #learninganddevelopment #recruitment

As student populations grow and infrastructures age, many schools face the pressing need for additional space. In our new blog, we’re breaking down the four crucial steps to effectively plan and implement your school’s modular expansion. Here’s an overview: - From navigating local zoning laws and building codes to conducting thorough site analysis, we detail the foundational steps to kickstart your project. - We discuss design elements that enhance learning environments, focusing on functionality and aesthetic integration with existing structures. - Explore how safety, technology, and accessibility standards, including ADA compliance, are integral to modular classrooms. - Discover effective strategies to minimize on-campus disruptions and anticipate unexpected delays, ensuring smooth management of unforeseen challenges. For a deeper dive into creating flexible and functional educational spaces, check out the full article here: https://buff.ly/3UgEJmG #ModularConstruction #EducationalFacilities #SchoolExpansion #modular #modularbuilding #school #education #elementaryschool #middleschool #highschool #campus #educator #teacher #classroom

School safety impacts student achievement outcomes. We help districts make informed decisions regarding policy and best practices. Learn about our new service offerings related to safe learning environments. https://lnkd.in/gnNMA2GA

What's holding you back? We love supporting educators to overcome obstacles that get in the way of what matters: quality education that serves young people. Here’s some examples of how we’ve helped educators overcome challenges and build excellent new learning spaces.

🔄 Hey, teachers! 🔄 How important do you find the ability to easily rearrange classroom furniture for different activities? Does it make a big difference in your teaching and student engagement? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments! 📝 #ChildrensFactory