Folsom High’s New Active Learning Classroom

SMARTdesks Pi Collaboration Tables Energize Folsom High’s New Collaborative Learning Classroom

2015-2016 is shaping up to be a very different year for the students at Folsom High School in California. SMARTdesks, in collaboration with teachers and school administrators, recently designed a brand-new open plan classroom environment that has revitalized students’ interactive learning experiences.

Folsom High School just opened their vanguard open plan collaborative learning classroom,bringing accolades from students, administrators and faculty. SMARTdesks Pi Collaboration Tables won the favor of the Folsom educators and IT Integrators, and the flexibility of the Pi furniture design is inspiring the learning process.

In order to teach computer science, computer game design, and robotics effectively, teacher Jean Cavanaugh knew that she had to upgrade her traditional computer lab outfitted with outdated computers and rows of static desks to something that would allow her students to excel. Cavanaugh found the solution when she discovered SMARTdesks’ collaborative learning desks which promote interactive learning and flexible arrangements in the classroom.

Together, the SMARTdesks Design Team and Folsom High School administrators developedfloor plans and chose furniture best suited to their teachers, students, and technology-driven curricula. Throughout the process, they discussed how to achieve the high-tech work environment the school desired, and then selected collaboration furniture which would satisfy the school’s academic vision, esthetics, and budget.

SMARTdesks Pi Collaboration Tables equipped with flipIT monitor displays enable the Folsom High School students to collaborate with their peers, use their computers, draw sketches and build prototypes simultaneously. Each desktop offers ample space to use print and modeling materials next to a computer screen. Students are currently using this additional workspace to program electronic code while assembling NAO robots from Legos kits.

Cavanaugh arranged the flexible Pi Collaboration Tables into learning pods, each featuring four individual workstations. The tables’ arrangement can easily be changed to form circles or rows to accommodate specific teaching and learning styles. Additionally, SMARTdesks’ mobile, height adjustable Qstar Computer Table serves as the new teacher’s desk, and Cavanaugh can give instructions to students while standing or sitting anywhere in the room. She can roll the Qstar over to the learning pods and help her students with their projects at any time. SMARTdesks’ innovations transform the traditional classroom environment into a model of empowerment.

The benefits of collaborative learning furniture encourage students to work cooperatively and to take initiative in the development of complex ideas. The open plan classroom, in concert with SMARTdesks’ advanced, flexible technology furniture, has changed the classroom dynamic. Research has shown that inquiry and project-based learning improves scholastic achievement. Collaboration furniture accelerates communication and engagement with educational material. Folsom High Principal Howard Cadenhead appreciates how the Pi tables “facilitate collaboration and academic conversation as opposed to the traditional lab model.” The redesign of their computer lab encourages full immersion in inquiry-based learning that is central to a 21st century education.

Cavanaugh said, “What the SMARTdesks allow me to do, for the first time in 20 years, is to get rid of ‘the front of the room.’ I love being able to teach from any part of my classroom and the movement and flow of the extra space around the desks allow me to get to the students quicker than in my old lab. Students feel like they are the focus of the room.”

Student feedback on their new learning space has also been overwhelmingly positive. Senior Dane Leineke was impressed with not only the quality of SMARTdesks’ new technology furniture, but also feels a renewed sense of enthusiasm to learn. He said, “I’ve had Ms. Cavanaugh for three years now. Before the changes to her classroom, it was dull and boring – nothing special. Now, every day I step into her classroom, I feel like I’m a Google employee arriving for another day on the job.”

SMARTdesks designs and manufactures innovative, custom computer conference tables and computer classroom furniture. Each product is made to order, nuanced for the technology, purpose and interior design choices for the space. SMARTdesks is the patent holder for flipIT® products and is the sole source for flipIT and factory integrated flipIT furniture products. Serving universities, corporations, government and military clients world-wide, SMARTdesks furniture is made in the USA using Certified GREEN manufacturing methods. For more information, contact smartdesks through the web site— www.mage2prod.smartdesks.com

Pi Collaboration Tables

Pi Table Specifications: PIR or PIL

Contoured top and edges
Concave end (right or left): PIR Right, PIL left
28”height for using laptop or keyboard on table top
30”height for use with keyboard platform
Two C-shaped, tubular, coped joint 14 gauge steel legs, 2”diameter, silver (standard) or black (optional) powder coat and black end caps
One FC714 per user (6 outlet power strip with 10’ cord)
1”x3”J style wire management channel
Top finished in wood-grain or color Surf(x) 3D scratch resistant thermofoil
Matching 10”modesty panel
Overall Dimensions: 42”W x 26”D x 28”or 30”H

Options

Locking Casters LC
flipIT Laptop Safe L18-5 (Patent # 7,757,612) Enclosure dimensions 16”wide x 11.5”deep x 2.5”thick, flipIT lock standard.
flipIT Monitor Mount FIH-19-L or FIH-19R Rimless (Patent # 7,784,412) Holds 16:9 aspect ratio VESA compatible LCD monitor with case width up to 18.875”, flipIT lock optional. No keyboard/mouse tray
flipIT Monitor Mount FIK-19-L or FIK-19R Rimless (Patent # 7,784,412) Holds 16:9 aspect ratio VESA compatible LCD monitor with case width up to 18.875”, flipIT lock optional; one 26” x 8” keyboard/ mouse tray with integrated mouse fence and wire management pass-through
flipIT Monitor Mount FIK-23-L or FIK-23R Rimless. (Patent # 7,784,412) Holds 16:9 wide-screen VESA compatible LCD monitors with case width up to 23”; one 26” x 8” keyboard/mouse tray with integrated mouse fence and wire management passthrough, flipIT lock optional

Pi R-Squared Storage Cabinet

Two heights: 28” PI-RS-28 or 30” PI-RS-30

Select height to nest with Pi table height. PI R-squared Table with round top includes

PDR recessed power data port standard
(2 power outlets – 110V AC and 2 RJ-45 Cat 6 inserts
Locking cabinet base with shelf
nside width of cabinet is 19.25”to accommodate Rack Mount Rails option (purchase separately)
Wire management grommets on sides
Top finished in wood-grain or color Surf(x) 3D scratch resistant thermofoil
Base finished in black melamine with black PVC edging
Top 26”diameter

Pi Instructor Table: PIT

Contoured top and edges
Both ends convex
28”height for using laptop or keyboard on table top
30”height for use with keyboard platform
Two C-shaped, tubular, coped joint 14 gauge steel legs, 2”diameter, silver (standard) or black (optional) powder coat and black end caps
1”levelers
includes one FC714 per user (6 outlet power strip with 10’ cord)
1”x3”J style wire management channel
Top finished in wood-grain or color Surf(x) 3D scratch resistant thermofoil
Matching 10”mod- esty panel
Overall Dimensions: 60”W x 26”D x 28”or 30”H

Options

Locking Casters LC
flipIT Laptop Safe L18-5 (Patent # 7,757,612) Enclosure dimensions 16”wide x 11.5”deep x 2.5”thick, flipIT lock standard.
flipIT Monitor Mount FIH-19-L or FIH-19R Rimless (Patent # 7,784,412) Holds 16:9 aspect ratio VESA compatible LCD monitor with case width up to 18.875”, flipIT lock optional. No keyboard/mouse tray
flipIT Monitor Mount FIK-19-L or FIK-19R Rimless (Patent # 7,784,412) Holds 16:9 aspect ratio VESA compatible LCD monitor with case width up to 18.875”, flipIT lock optional; one 26” x 8” keyboard/mouse tray with integrated mouse fence and wire management passthrough
flipIT Monitor Mount FIK-23-L or FIK-23R Rimless. (Patent # 7,784,412) Holds 16:9 wide-screen VESA compatible LCD monitors with case width up to 23”; one 26” x 8” keyboard/mouse tray with integrated mouse fence and wire management pass-through, flipIT lock optional

Pi Collaboration Tables

Pi tables nest with one another to create undulating lines and add curves to classrooms. Arrange in more traditional straight lines or create bent lines and pods if desired. Avaliable with LaptopSafe hardware, flipIT hideaway monitor mounts, or plain desktop. Standalone Teacher Table also available.

Quark Standing Desk Stations

A futuristic looking desk, the Quark is ideal as both a teacher’s podium and collaborative table in its own right. Available as a set of five with docking station or standalone unit.