Folsom High’s New Active Learning Classroom
SMARTdesks Pi Collaboration Tables Energize Folsom High’s New Collaborative Learning Classroom
2015-2016 is shaping up to be a very different year for the students at Folsom High School in
California. SMARTdesks, in collaboration with teachers and school administrators, recently
designed a brand-new open plan classroom environment that has revitalized students’ interactive
learning experiences.
Folsom High School just opened their vanguard open plan collaborative learning classroom,bringing accolades from students, administrators and faculty. SMARTdesks Pi Collaboration Tables won
the favor of the Folsom educators and IT Integrators, and the flexibility of the Pi furniture design is
inspiring the learning process.
In order to teach computer science, computer game design, and robotics effectively, teacher
Jean Cavanaugh knew that she had to upgrade her traditional computer lab outfitted with outdated
computers and rows of static desks to something that would allow her students to excel. Cavanaugh
found the solution when she discovered SMARTdesks’ collaborative learning desks which promote
interactive learning and flexible arrangements in the classroom.
Together, the SMARTdesks Design Team and Folsom High School administrators developedfloor plans and chose furniture best suited to their teachers, students, and technology-driven curricula.
Throughout the process, they discussed how to achieve the high-tech work environment the school
desired, and then selected collaboration furniture which would satisfy the school’s academic vision,
esthetics, and budget.
SMARTdesks Pi Collaboration Tables equipped with flipIT monitor displays enable the Folsom
High School students to collaborate with their peers, use their computers, draw sketches and build
prototypes simultaneously. Each desktop offers ample space to use print and modeling materials next
to a computer screen. Students are currently using this additional workspace to program electronic
code while assembling NAO robots from Legos kits.
Cavanaugh arranged the flexible Pi Collaboration Tables into learning pods, each featuring four individual workstations. The tables’ arrangement can easily be changed to form circles or rows to
accommodate specific teaching and learning styles. Additionally, SMARTdesks’ mobile, height
adjustable Qstar Computer Table serves as the new teacher’s desk, and Cavanaugh can give
instructions to students while standing or sitting anywhere in the room. She can roll the Qstar over to the learning pods and help her students with their projects at any time. SMARTdesks’ innovations
transform the traditional classroom environment into a model of empowerment.
The benefits of collaborative learning furniture encourage students to work cooperatively and
to take initiative in the development of complex ideas. The open plan classroom, in concert with
SMARTdesks’ advanced, flexible technology furniture, has changed the classroom dynamic. Research
has shown that inquiry and project-based learning improves scholastic achievement. Collaboration
furniture accelerates communication and engagement with educational material. Folsom High
Principal Howard Cadenhead appreciates how the Pi tables “facilitate collaboration and academic
conversation as opposed to the traditional lab model.” The redesign of their computer lab encourages
full immersion in inquiry-based learning that is central to a 21st century education.
Cavanaugh said, “What the SMARTdesks allow me to do, for the first time in 20 years, is to get
rid of ‘the front of the room.’ I love being able to teach from any part of my classroom and the
movement and flow of the extra space around the desks allow me to get to the students quicker than
in my old lab. Students feel like they are the focus of the room.”
Student feedback on their new learning space has also been overwhelmingly positive. Senior
Dane Leineke was impressed with not only the quality of SMARTdesks’ new technology furniture, but
also feels a renewed sense of enthusiasm to learn. He said, “I’ve had Ms. Cavanaugh for three years
now. Before the changes to her classroom, it was dull and boring – nothing special. Now, every day I
step into her classroom, I feel like I’m a Google employee arriving for another day on the job.”
SMARTdesks designs and manufactures innovative, custom computer conference tables and
computer classroom furniture. Each product is made to order, nuanced for the technology, purpose
and interior design choices for the space. SMARTdesks is the patent holder for flipIT® products and is
the sole source for flipIT and factory integrated flipIT furniture products. Serving universities,
corporations, government and military clients world-wide, SMARTdesks furniture is made in the USA
using Certified GREEN manufacturing methods. For more information, contact smartdesks through the
web site— www.smartdesks.com
Pi Collaboration Tables
Pi Table Specifications: PIR or PIL
- Contoured top and edges
- Concave end (right or left): PIR Right, PIL left
- 28”height for using laptop or keyboard on table top
- 30”height for use with keyboard platform
- Two C-shaped, tubular, coped joint 14 gauge steel legs, 2”diameter, silver (standard) or black (optional) powder coat and black end caps
- One FC714 per user (6 outlet power strip with 10’ cord)
- 1”x3”J style wire management channel
- Top finished in wood-grain or color Surf(x) 3D scratch resistant thermofoil
- Matching 10”modesty panel
- Overall Dimensions: 42”W x 26”D x 28”or 30”H
Options
- Locking Casters LC
- flipIT Laptop Safe L18-5 (Patent # 7,757,612) Enclosure dimensions 16”wide x 11.5”deep x 2.5”thick, flipIT lock standard.
- flipIT Monitor Mount FIH-19-L or FIH-19R Rimless (Patent # 7,784,412) Holds 16:9 aspect ratio VESA compatible LCD monitor with case width up to 18.875”, flipIT lock optional. No keyboard/mouse tray
- flipIT Monitor Mount FIK-19-L or FIK-19R Rimless (Patent # 7,784,412) Holds 16:9 aspect ratio VESA compatible LCD monitor with case width up to 18.875”, flipIT lock optional; one 26” x 8” keyboard/ mouse tray with integrated mouse fence and wire management pass-through
- flipIT Monitor Mount FIK-23-L or FIK-23R Rimless. (Patent # 7,784,412) Holds 16:9 wide-screen VESA compatible LCD monitors with case width up to 23”; one 26” x 8” keyboard/mouse tray with integrated mouse fence and wire management passthrough, flipIT lock optional
Pi R-Squared Storage Cabinet
Two heights: 28” PI-RS-28 or 30” PI-RS-30
Select height to nest with Pi table height.
PI R-squared Table with round top includes
- PDR recessed power data port standard
- (2 power outlets – 110V AC and 2 RJ-45 Cat 6 inserts
- Locking cabinet base with shelf
- nside width of cabinet is 19.25”to accommodate Rack Mount Rails option (purchase separately)
- Wire management grommets on sides
- Top finished in wood-grain or color Surf(x) 3D scratch resistant thermofoil
- Base finished in black melamine with black PVC edging
- Top 26”diameter
Pi Instructor Table: PIT
- Contoured top and edges
- Both ends convex
- 28”height for using laptop or keyboard on table top
- 30”height for use with keyboard platform
- Two C-shaped, tubular, coped joint 14 gauge steel legs, 2”diameter, silver (standard) or black (optional) powder coat and black end caps
- 1”levelers
- includes one FC714 per user (6 outlet power strip with 10’ cord)
- 1”x3”J style wire management channel
- Top finished in wood-grain or color Surf(x) 3D scratch resistant thermofoil
- Matching 10”mod- esty panel
- Overall Dimensions: 60”W x 26”D x 28”or 30”H
Options
- Locking Casters LC
- flipIT Laptop Safe L18-5 (Patent # 7,757,612) Enclosure dimensions 16”wide x 11.5”deep x 2.5”thick, flipIT lock standard.
- flipIT Monitor Mount FIH-19-L or FIH-19R Rimless (Patent # 7,784,412) Holds 16:9 aspect ratio VESA compatible LCD monitor with case width up to 18.875”, flipIT lock optional. No keyboard/mouse tray
- flipIT Monitor Mount FIK-19-L or FIK-19R Rimless (Patent # 7,784,412) Holds 16:9 aspect ratio VESA compatible LCD monitor with case width up to 18.875”, flipIT lock optional; one 26” x 8” keyboard/mouse tray with integrated mouse fence and wire management passthrough
- flipIT Monitor Mount FIK-23-L or FIK-23R Rimless. (Patent # 7,784,412) Holds 16:9 wide-screen VESA compatible LCD monitors with case width up to 23”; one 26” x 8” keyboard/mouse tray with integrated mouse fence and wire management pass-through, flipIT lock optional
Pi Collaboration Tables
Pi tables nest with one another to create undulating lines and add curves to classrooms. Arrange in more traditional straight lines or create bent lines and pods if desired. Avaliable with LaptopSafe hardware, flipIT hideaway monitor mounts, or plain desktop. Standalone Teacher Table also available.
Quark Standing Desk Stations
A futuristic looking desk, the Quark is ideal as both a teacher’s podium and collaborative table in its own right. Available as a set of five with docking station or standalone unit.
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