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Designing An Information Commons Area

Students Sit Comfortably in an Information Commons Area When choosing layouts and furniture for an information commons area, there are a number of factors to keep in mind. Flexibility is key so students can work comfortably or relax in groups of any size. Another important principle is the visual appeal of the space. After long hours in the classroom, a cozy and inviting lounge area can make a big difference. In today’s tech-oriented schools, outlets and data ports are extremely important. You want to ensure that there are plenty of places to plug in and get to work in any lounge area you are designing.

How To Make Your Information Commons Inviting and Flexible With Soft Seating

To make your space inviting and flexible, you will need to start with some school lounge furniture. Soft seating really sets the tone in a group study area. With lots of options in cool contemporary shapes and colors, you can encourage students to enjoy working together and get creative. Soft seating is designed for easy arrangement so a group can simply come over and create any configuration they like. Many of the designs are also modular so seats can easily be linked together. While seating is definitely the most important consideration, and the most varied, there are other things to consider as well. Don’t forget to add some soft seating stool tables into the mix so there is a place to put down devices or even write some good old-fashioned notes. Another great option is to include some comfy club chairs with built-in tablet arms. This is a perfect solution for taking notes or working with devices such as tablets and laptops.

Important Components of an Information Commons Area

In addition to cozy soft seating, there should definitely be some individual workstations as well. Workstations can either be equipped with desktop computers or offer hookups for laptops. Traditional-style study carrels can serve this purpose, or if you want a more modern look, counter-height tables and stools make an excellent choice. They come in lots of great styles, shapes and sizes. This trendy option will make your study area feel much more like a cozy coffee shop than a stuffy study room. No modern study space is complete without plenty of outlets and USB hookups. There are a number of ways to provide data and power ports. One great option is seating or tables with built in ports. This ensures that hookups are easy to reach so students don’t have to stop what they are doing to hunt for an outlet. With hookups subtly integrated into school lounge furniture, you don’t have to compromise on aesthetics or convenience. Alternatively, there is the option of freestanding or tabletop charging stations which can be strategically placed near some main work spaces in the information commons area. This is a good choice for smaller lounge areas or spaces where most people will be working in the same general area.

Promote Proficiency With Your Information Commons Area

Information commons areas can become an integral part of your students’ education. They promote collaboration and provide comfy spaces for project-based learning, two key components of twenty-first century education. It is not enough to facilitate skill-building inside traditional classrooms, you also need to give students spaces to figure out how to work as teams and develop important skills on their own. With a well-designed open study space, you can help promote proficiency in key areas that will serve your students well into the future.
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