Technology has changed the face of so many aspects of our lives. This is especially so in education, where it has led to a total rethinking and reshaping of the classroom. Schools are no longer the static learning spaces of the past. Instead, they are more and more dynamic with each passing day. In fact, with the integration of digital learning tools and interactive devices, tech innovation has become a cornerstone (and necessity) in K-12 education. And classrooms need to reflect that.

But when thinking of tech and IT, we often overlook the smaller items necessary to keep it running, or the classroom layout and how that influences our technology usage within it. With that in mind, here are some ways to successfully integrate tech and IT into your K-12 classroom, both in terms of supplies and in terms of furniture and layout.

School Supplies for Tech and IT

There are so many different types of tech and IT to consider these days. First, there are the portable items students use for work and study, like tablets. These are the obvious items. But along with those items are a slew of other necessary products and supplies that keep those items functioning properly and in one piece.

Take tablets. Tablets are such commonplace learning tools in the classroom these days. But there’s so much more to the tablet than the item itself.

Protective Cases

Tablets get knocked around. Sometimes they are accidentally dropped. They bounce around in book bags. Do you have cases to protect them?

Tech Hygiene

Tablets exchange hands and get passed from person to person, which means they accumulate germs. To combat the spread of pathogens, do you have proper products to clean and sanitize them? Remember, many types of tech screens typically need special wipes.

Powering Up

Now think of how you power up those tablets. You need the right accessories to keep those items juiced up and ready for use. Older schools sometimes don’t have as many outlets available so keep that in mind. With everything that needs to be plugged in these days, you need to make sure you have more than enough to accommodate the growing number of tech products being used in the classroom.

Do you have mobile charging carts? Do you have multi-port power strips so several items can charge at once? Do you have surge protectors? Do you have items like Velcro ties to bundle all cables and wires, so you and your students aren’t tripping over them? These are all items you will need but may not have thought about.

Safe and Secure Storage

And at the end of the day, you probably need a safe and secure place to organize and store those tablets. Do you have lockable metal storage cabinets?

In summary, for a single type of product, you need your classroom to ALSO have all of the following:

• Protective coverings
• Ports, cords, and charging carts
• Computer wipes and other tech-specific cleaning supplies
• Safe and secure storage like lockable metal storage boxes and shelving

From phone lockups to charging stations aimed at handling multiple devices at once to products that keep everything clean, Louisiana Office Products carries a range of products ready to manage, store, and sanitize your classroom technology.

Classroom Furniture and Tech Innovation

Of course, with the increase in electrical products comes the need to plug things in when necessary. That means where you and your students sit and work in the room matter. But so does the type of furniture they sit on and at. In both cases, flexibility is key.

Classroom Layout

Classroom layout is pretty much exactly what it sounds like – it’s where you place desks, tables, and other classroom furniture. Why does that matter with tech and IT? Well, you must be able to reach outlets, for example. If your desks are set up in a way that’s too far from outlets, you’re going to run into challenges. Along the same lines, you want to be able to keep any wires and cords organized and minimize any tripping hazards. Where you place furniture will affect how easy it is to bundle and hide that kind of stuff.

As mentioned earlier, today’s classrooms are much more dynamic and activity focused. To that end, group activities are becoming more popular learning tools. It’s not so easy to collaborate, though, when your desks are arranged in rows and the person you’re working with is sitting two rows away. Desks that can be easily moved and that have adequate surface area are in this case a necessity.

Classroom Furniture

In keeping with the theme of dynamic learning, items like activity tables and adjustable height desks and privacy boards are also things to consider, as they are accommodating for individual learning styles as well as for different types of learning overall. Sometimes students will need to work collectively. Sometimes they may need private spaces to focus. Does your classroom accommodate both modes of learning?

Storage is another area that matters. With all the new tech on hand, you need a secure place to put it all. Is there a centralized, organized, secure place where students can find tech items like tablets and plugs? Is there a lockable cabinet where they can keep their phone safely stored for the day? These are all items to consider when it comes to how you integrate tech and IT into your classroom.

Louisiana Office Products carries everything you need to design an educational space that ensures tomorrow’s leaders are properly equipped today. Our team collaborates with reputable brands like HON to furnish you with high-quality furniture guaranteed to last. Plus, our full-service delivery and installation services means you can concentrate on shaping the minds of tomorrow while we handle the rest.