Design Development ( Week 8 )

In this week, We had combined our ideas to resolve the issue. I came up with the smart table, Josephine came out with a 360 degree projector while Gabriella came up with a 360 degree chair integrated with a table. After discussions and negotiations, we decided to combine all 3 ideas together into one.

A 360 degree rotatable chair with an integrated table inbuilt with a smart tablet which makes it a smart table which can help students with their necessary needs such as web browsing and e-books.
To adapt with the 360 degree projector, we decided to have a triangular classroom design concept with a triangular sitting arrangements. The reason why we made it into a triangular sitting arrangements is because that in this arrangement, students are not hindered by the taller students sitting infront of them. A triangular sitting arrangements would give a better view of the whiteboard.

Site Study ( Week 7 )

 On this week, we investigate the site further and went to various classrooms and also look at online research images. We tried to compare each and every country classroom to it's pros and cons.

The most common issue that can be easily spotted was the regular sitting arrangements of the chairs and the table.

I strongly believe that if the classroom is more creative in terms of sitting arrangements, it can encourage more positive interaction for the students and teachers in-charge.
This would definitely create effectiveness in the productivity of learning.

I went to check out a few modern classroom concept and got motivated by how the design concept is being compose.

As observed, this kind of sitting arrangements along with modernised design would definitely be more appealing and interesting to students.

Sources: 

http://cdn.trendhunterstatic.com/thumbs/futuristic-classroom-desks-synergynet-multi-touch-table.jpeg

Research ( Week 6 )

This week we did or individual research on what our concepts of having a good furniture that can help the learning environment of the class.

As i had mentioned in the previous post, I had already had the idea of having a smart table.
I decided to ask people around, what are the basic application essentials of a smart table with an inbuilt tablet a student need ? I received various answers and suggestions as different level of education study would need to refer and rely on different kind of software and applications.

But that was not the thing that matters for now. What matters was I had to make a better design concept out of the one that i had already made. I tried changing it's form and shape to a much more versatile and modern shape and also added funky colors to the desk. This would give it more attraction and it would be more appealing to students.


This is the design concept that I have created out of sketches .

Design Ideas ( Week 5 )

In the 5th week, I started to sketch out a concept design of a smart table. My idea was to use a table, with a unique design and touch to it's ergonomic shape and adapt technology into it. Having said, My concept idea was to combine design and technology into one. This table would be able to have digital e-book, music streaming, web browsers, wikipedia and other essential application for students.


For the concept visualisation, I tried using photoshop to design a concept of the table.

This is a concept i have made from using Adobe Photoshop. It's basically a table with an inbuilt tablet which is detachable. Students can have the ease of access to web browsers and e-book. This decrease the effort needed to take out and use a laptop. This will increase the productivity of the class effectively as students can have inbuilt apps such as youtube, google and facebook. 

Case Study ( Week 4 )

This week we decided to move on deeper to extend our knowledge on the situations and causes.

We decided to put up survey questions online and expand our knowledge and understanding.

We came up with questions like,  What is the main reason that makes your classroom boring?
How many hours is the duration of your class? Do you think furnitures makes a difference in the environment and your learning abilities?

Many answers were mostly positive on wether the furnitures make a difference. Thus my team and I started to venture and study about the environment and aesthetic qualities of the class.

Roleplay and Reference ( Week 3 )

During this session, We were tasked to do a role-play. For our group, my two group mate acted out as students along with some of our classmates, and I was the teacher. During the act, I was reading up lecture notes for the class with a very dull and boring tone. Students felt sleepy and some got distracted with their mobile devices.

From this scene, we can clearly understand and feel the situation even better as it is physically experienced by us in both aspects, as teachers and students.  This links back to why lessons can be really dull even when the classroom is very vibrant and modern.

The reason why lessons became very dry is because that the interaction between the student and the teacher is very minimal. I come to realise that interaction between both parties are vital in this situation. As increase in interactivity can lead to students having more interest and giving more attention to the particular topic, it can also help in increasing the bond between the teacher and students making them feel more comfortable to clarify any doubts without hesitations. This gives an effective increase in productivity.

Research Methodology ( Week 2 )

 This week, we did more research on classrooms are boring. We tried to relate what is the issue that we have and relate it to the common situation that we have experience personally, thus, this would allow us to understand the need and importance of the situation and how to resolve it.


As a team, the 3 of us had this common idea where the aesthetic quality of the classroom is the most influential to the students and lecturers in giving the right atmosphere to study productively.
As an example, a dull boring classroom would define a boring learning environment. Whereas, if you put a group of student in a very vibrant, clean, and lively themed classroom with a good set of furnitures, it will encourage students to participate proactively as the environment itself can already provide a positive vibe.

From there on, we decided to look for weakness spot.

Design Process ( Week 1 )

In this post, I shall share my thoughts on the issue that was chosen by our group.

Our selected topic was, Classrooms are Boring. 

Well there are many reasons why classrooms are boring. Based on surveys, 2 out of 3 students said that they feel bored in class. One of the possible reason is because that there is not much interaction between the teacher and students

As a student, personally i think that most classrooms are very dull. It's probably because of the standard rectangular shaped are with plain walls..Also, to add on to the dullness of the walls, some even stick notes and formula sheets on them! Going to a classroom like that is like entering a cell in a jail..You would definitely feel trapped and suffocated with all the numbers and formulas.

Imagine yourself entering the class and having to look at this first thing in the morning..

( O.O )

Boring classrooms environment can strongly affects individuals ability and their performance of learning.

Personally i think that if we get a positive feel and aura in the class, many can benefit in acquiring the skills that have been taught in class. 

I also think that learning is not just about boring lectures, it is more about having fun together with your teacher in learning new things, interacting, playing and applying what has been taught.

The possibilities are limitless if you were to give suggestions on how to improvise the atmosphere of a classroom, but one specific development that we can apply is the structure of the class, meaning its shape, lighting, and colours. These are major factors that can affect the ambience of the class.

Here's two example to give you a clearer image before i end this post,

Which classroom would you rather study in ? You decide for yourself . ;)

Peace out







Image sources

Image 1 : http://mikegwaltney.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2387-math-class.jpg
Image 2 : http://mulloverthings.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Dull-Classroom.jpg
Image 3 : https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/2f/b4/b0/2fb4b0ac1aa997d54c27bd457ec184c5.jpg