10 Steps for Success in 2010
Dec 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Mike Kennedy (mkennedy@asumag.com)
While enduring severe financial setbacks, schools and universities must continue to deliver high-quality education to students.
ERGONOMICS/FURNITURE
Students in the typical classroom no longer just sit passively and listen to an instructor. They may gather at tables in small groups, or tap away on keyboards at computer stations or laptop machines. School administrators need to take into account the changing configurations of learning spaces as they choose furniture and equipment.
Students and workers forced to use ill-fitting furniture over time can be subject to problems such as eye strain, backaches and repetitive stress injuries. Because the size of students assigned to a classroom can vary greatly, schools need to have furniture that can be adjusted to accommodate the dimensions of many users.
BUILDING COMMUNITY
When a person is going through hard times, it's helpful to reach out to friends that can provide help. Education institutions that are having to make do with less and the communities they serve each can benefit by sharing resources with each other. Schools and universities that have already established these connections with their neighbors are more likely to have the relationships in place that can lead to mutually beneficial sharing of facilities and resources.
Many school systems have designed their facilities so that community members have access to gymnasiums, media centers or auditoriums when classes are not in session. Others have saved their taxpayers money by constructing joint facilities with cities or counties.
Kennedy can be reached at mkennedy@asumag.com.
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