New Jersey School Creates Flexible Classroom Environment for Children with Special Needs
The Newmark School, a private,
not-for-profit school for children with autism spectrum disorders, mood
disorders, anxiety disorders, attention issues and other developmental
disabilities, has redesigned its classrooms to encourage active and
collaborative learning.
The school recently consolidated its K-8 and high schools in a new building
in Scotch Plains, NJ. As part of the transition, the school administration
purchased new technology and innovative classroom furniture to support different
ways of learning. The school has implemented interactive whiteboards and short
throw projectors in most classrooms, and the furniture is easy to move and
adjustable for height and position. The students in the school have
communication, sensory and other challenges, and the technology and furniture
is intended to help the school meet the children's special needs.
The
Eno interactive whiteboards from
Steelcase work
with a short throw projector. Students and teachers can write on the whiteboard
with dry erase markers, or up to three people at a time can work together on the
whiteboard using a bluetooth-enabled stylus. The school also implemented
Steelcase's
media:scape high definition video conferencing tool, which supports sharing
and collaboration between student computers, even in the same room.
Students do their work in Steelcase's
Node classroom chairs, which feature an adjustable seat and armrests; an
adjustable built-in work surface with a built-in cupholder; under-seat storage;
and caster wheels for easy movement. Students at the school rearrange their Node
chairs as needed throughout the day to work individually or in small or large
groups.
According to DS&D, the interiors solutions company that
implemented the technology and furniture at the school, "the dynamic nature of
the classrooms at Newmark utilizes both technology and new methods of classroom
collaboration to facilitate the different ways of learning and integrates active
learning spaces throughout the campus," and "the incorporation of technology and
innovative furnishings has enhanced The Newmark School's ability to increase
student outcomes."
A video produced by Steelcase about The Newmark School can be found on
YouTube.
About the Author
Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].