As everyone knows, the nature of education is changing. More and more, classrooms are incorporating different learning styles and methods, including those driven by improvements in technology. Companies that make furniture for the education market know that their offerings must adjust to these classroom changes. Steelcase is not one to hang onto the past: the company acknowledges that "the classroom is being reinvented to support new pedagogies that deeply involve students in the learning process." Furniture must therefore adjust to fit the various modes of learning-lectures, group discussions, and team project work.

Akira Table. Manufactured by Steelcase.

Easy to Fold, Easy to Nest Classroom Table

Steelcase's Akira table capitalizes on multipurpose classroom activities through its "easy to use, one-handed folding lever and patented mechanism." Not only does it fold easily, but it also nests-so teachers and students can tuck the table away when it's not in use. In fact, "one person can compactly store a roomful of tables with minimal effort." And Akira's clean look fits in with training, conference, and classrooms. With tabletops in rectangular, trapezoid, and D-shapes and base styles in T- or L-bases, Akira fits into the particular needs of the space at hand. The table also has an adjustable height option, so multiple users can configure their workstation ergonomically.

For people who do not need their tables to nest, Akira comes in a fixed base (non-flipping) version. The fixed base tables have casters or gliders and a height-adjustment option-even this incarnation has convenient features. Either of the Akira tables accommodates technology needs via miniport pop-up modules that supply power and data outlets at the tabletop. Akira also offers wire management in horizontal and vertical pathways. The bottom line is that Akira offers flexible spacial and pedagogical needs.

About the Manufacturer: For nearly 100 years, Steelcase has been manufacturing "a comprehensive portfolio of workplace products, furnishings and services." Globally accessible through a network of more than 650 dealers, Steelcase has its headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan. With three core brands- Steelcase, Turnstone and Coalesse-as well as specialty sub-brands like Nurture, their healthcare division, Steelcase offers a comprehensive line of products.