Steelcase Education Solutions Introduces New Active Learning Solutions

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"We're helping turn the 21^st century classroom into a more flexible environment that encourages students to learn in a variety of ways keeping them engaged with the content and fellow classmates," said Sean Corcorran, general manager of Steelcase Education Solutions. "Verb gives students permission to share, build ideas and quickly transition among learning modes. At the same time, teachers can instruct from different positions in the room and seamlessly transition from lecture, group discussion and test mode. With a more flexible classroom, students are more engaged with the content and with each other, and more likely to be successful."

The Word on Verb

Verb creates an integrated, table-based learning space with personal-sized, one-of-a-kind whiteboards throughout the classroom for instantaneous collaboration. The easy-to-access whiteboards provide a note-taking surface for students during group projects. They address an unspoken need: instead of huddling around a piece of paper, students write on what becomes an instant display board when sharing in front of their classmates. In addition, the whiteboards serve as space dividers during test time to ensure privacy. The whiteboards are made of e3™ ceramicsteel, a material that's ultra-smooth, prevents ghosting and is virtually indestructible.

The three other components of Verb include:

• Instructor station. This unit provides easy access to storage and an adjustable lectern, which rotates 360-degrees in two directions to accommodate standing and perching postures during instruction. A work zone and collaborative zone support other instruction needs. Casters allow instructors to quickly, easily and orderly adjust to different learning modes during class time.
• Student tables. Unique chevron shaped tables enhance sightlines, so students can see each other, the instructor and presenters, in every mode. Collaborative tools are supported right at the table, while transitions among learning modes are easy with standard casters.
• Board display. The easel allows for effective display, storage and presentation of the whiteboards, wherever collaboration might occur in the classroom. A durable wall track and hooks provide even more options for presentations.

The same insights and design language used for the award-winning Node chair were used when developing Verb. The two are designed to work together to provide the optimum active learning environment.

Node's new look

The iconic classroom chair that has promoted student engagement and active learning since 2010 has even more features to help maximize student success:

• New adjustable-height five-star base with worksurface, which allows plenty of movement and room to write, read or type. Customers now have the choice of tripod with storage or five-star with seat-height adjustability, both with worksurface.
• New tablet stand on the worksurface to accommodate the growing number of students downloading textbooks. The stand holds tablet computers and smartphones in user-friendly positions, making content easy to view and freeing up space on the worksurface for other class materials.
• Nine new signature plastic colors help schools and universities express their brand in the classroom, as they seek to attract and retain students and faculty alike.

Employing a unique, human-centered design research process, Steelcase has studied changes in education for years.

"Today's classroom is changing, schools are using more collaborative teaching methods and fewer lecture-style modes in order to increase student success and learning," said Dr. Lennie Scott Webber, director of educational environments for Steelcase Education Solutions. "As a result, Steelcase is responding to the need for mobile, flexible, comfortable, durable and sustainable learning environments with unique and innovative classroom solutions like Verb and Node."

Verb is currently undergoing a lifecycle assessment and seeking BIFMA level™ 2 certification. The Node chair continues to be recognized for strong performance in sustainability.   Verb and Node are on display in Booth # 604 in the SCUP Exhibit Hall at the Hyatt Regency Chicago July 9-10, and in the Steelcase Education Solutions Showroom on the 3^rd floor (Room 3-100) of the Merchandise Mart, Chicago, 5 to 7 p.m. July 10. For more information, please visit www.steelcase.com/educationsolutions.

About Steelcase Brand

For 100 years, Steelcase has been bringing human insight to business by studying how people work, wherever they work. Those insights and our solutions can help organizations achieve a higher level of performance by creating places that unlock the promise of people at work.

Steelcase is globally accessible through a network of channels, including store.steelcase.com and over 650 dealers worldwide. Our workplace research is published through the Steelcase 360 Magazine, 360.steelcase.com and 360 iPad® app.

About Steelcase Education Solutions

Steelcase Education Solutions is focused on helping schools, colleges and universities create the most effective, rewarding, and inspiring learning environments to help improve student success. We are a dedicated group within Steelcase focused exclusively on education. We are research and insights based and are driving innovation in furniture, tools and technologies for active learning spaces.

e³ is a trademark of PolyVision Corp.

level is a trademark of BIFMA.

iPad® is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.

SOURCE Steelcase, Inc.