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“Practical learning activities require heavy-duty workstations and equipment, and so the space must be fixed into position.”
Although this statement might still be true for some heavy engineering workshops; technical practical areas can now achieve levels of flexibility that other areas of schools and colleges have deployed for years.
Static classrooms and fixed inflexible furniture do not future-proof educational spaces. Introducing flexibility to Design & Technology and STEAM environments offers an enhanced dynamic to teaching and learning – supporting teachers, and students, and even prolonging the longevity of the space.
“Static classrooms and fixed inflexible furniture do not future-proof educational spaces.”
The ability to reconfigure your D&T/STEAM spaces to suit dynamic timetables gives autonomy to teachers to create an environment that is perfect for the lesson they’re delivering (from STEAM programmes, resistant materials, and textiles to robotics/electronics and CAD/CAM suites, etc).
But what do we mean by flexible? The majority of elements within the learning space are mobile and built on castors! As simple as this may sound, the ability to move and reconfigure workbenches, tables, storage units, and even machinery benches quickly provides a wealth of benefits.
Adapt practical spaces for different teaching & learning styles
Flexible spaces deliver differentiated learning programmes that are not only tailored to your students’ needs but also allow them to nurture modern, transferable skills. By rearranging the layout of your space, you can unlock the potential for supporting the development of skills such as collaboration, communication, individual critical thinking, critical reflection, and entrepreneurialism. These layout changes provide opportunities for whole-class discussion, presentation, small group work and individual workspaces.
Improve the use of space in your department
Fixed spaces allocated to a single discipline can only be used for that discipline and are therefore inefficient for timetabling.
Rooms which can adapt quickly to different activities are not only more favourable to those setting timetables but also allow individual teachers and classes to achieve more variety and breadth of learning in a single space.
“Fixed spaces allocated to a single discipline are inefficient for timetabling.”
Inherently, STEAM subjects require larger equipment, workspaces, and consumables to deliver an activity. To deploy a variety of disciplines in a single space, you must have the means to store and transport equipment, as well as student projects which are still in progress. A multi-activity room is the most efficient and effective learning environment to support creativity and enable students to flourish.
To discover more reasons on how flexible spaces can enhance your teaching and learning space, scan the QR code, complete our short form and download our “Seven reasons to make your space flexible” guide:
The Birth of Akira™
We recognise that it is the ability to move your machinery around on the fly that best supports a dynamic STEAM-style environment, and which supports learners to embrace D&T as a creative and innovative subject. Following an intensive internal product development process, the Akira™ system was born. Built on mobile castors and built-to-last, Akira™ delivers true flexibility, outstanding quality, and longevity to our customers.
The entire Akira™ range is designed and manufactured in the UK by WF Education Group and the system is designed to withstand frequent use and all the wear and tear that a busy D&T workshop undergoes year after year.
Akira™ is considered a sustainable solution – the steel frame’s considerable lifespan, coupled with the replaceable nature of modular components such as panels, worktops, storage, and power units, has resulted in a product solution that will stand the test of time under heavy educational usage.
Interested in a flexible space?
Find out more about our growing Akira™ product range and how schools are embracing flexible D&T and STEAM spaces across the globe – wf-education.com/introducing-akira
Or simply scan the QR code below:
