Pachecco

Pachecco Union School District

Making Team Learning Work in the Classroom

What role does classroom furniture make in the success of team learning? These case histories of Smith System customers agree that functional, durable furniture plays a vital part in the process. We've collected representative experiences from across the U.S. You may find a school with a situation similar to yours.

Team Learning Case Study

In team learning, classroom furniture can either help or hinder the process.

Pachecco Installation

Pachecco Union School District
Redding, CA

Background

This K-12 school in Redding, California, installed its first computers in 1978. Over the years, various grants provided for further computer purchases, server and hardware upgrades.

2001 Lab upgrade

By 2001, Pacheco’s computer lab (housed in its own separate building) was in desperate need of building, hardware and furniture upgrades. A new room was identified for the lab due to its central position on campus, electrical requirements and wiring cost considerations. Modernization was underway.

Selection Process

Librarian/Technology Coordinator Misha Evans knew that Smith System was her top choice for furniture after reviewing numerous manufacturer catalogs and researching companies on the web. Smith System Eclipse desk were the ideal solution when it came to meeting he following criteria:
Ample desktop space
“The CPU towers mounted under the desks seemed a great solution for our needs,” noted Misha.

Mobility

“Mobility is an issue for schools, so seeing individual units that can be easily linked and reconfigured really peaked my interest.”

Tidiness

“We were very enthusiastic about the easy accessibility to wire management and even linking it through the desks.”

Keyboard issues

“On other desk styles, the keyboard was mounted on the underside and projected out into the limited working area. Still, others had areas of the desk cutaway and a keyboard tray on a lower level, cutting into the desktop space. Both of those styles also meant handing cords. The Eclipse desk was a far better working solution.”

Proper posture

“The fixed tops with the adjustable chairs seemed a total solution to encouraging proper posture in students.”

Enthusiastic Response

“The students were extremely pleased…the best thing about the adjustable chairs and work surface is the adjustable height. With students from fourth to seventh grade using the same facilities, it’s important to adjust for tall and short students.

Teachers, students an staff alike love the lab. It’s created a learning environment that gives the class a focal point. And it’s become one of the most powerful teaching areas in our District.”

Misha Evans
Librarian/Technology Coordinator