JASPER, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The classroom of the future is here. Now.
In a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Ohio’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Richard Ross, the “Classroom of the Future” was unveiled at Sidney High School (SHS) in Sidney, Ohio. By collaborating design services and handling the furniture acquisition, Kimball Office Select Dealer Partner Innovative Office Solutions (headquartered in Maria Stein, Ohio) played an integral role in the Workforce Academy dream at SHS becoming a reality.
The Workforce Partnership of Shelby County, a not-for-profit organization, was formed to address the need to better align existing education and workforce training programs with clearly defined industry-specific pathways, preparing students for work and employment. The Sidney High School Workforce Academy “Classroom of the Future” features state-of-the-art furniture that provides an agile, active learning environment. Technologies include a media lounge, interactive video displays with multi-touch screens, collaboration work stations, a digital signage player, flexboard tracking system with swivel white boards, a wireless presentation system with teleconferencing capabilities, as well as a classroom set of Chromebooks.
“With the challenge of creating a state-of-the-art future classroom designed to accommodate a variety of learning styles and teaching methods, as well as integrating cutting edge technologies, the Workforce Partnership carefully considered designers and suppliers that would be able to accommodate those very specific needs. IOS and Kimball were the perfect choice,” said Sharon Maurice, Director of the Workforce Partnership of Shelby County. “The design has proven to provide a positive, efficient learning environment for the general student population as well as special needs students.
“The furniture is reconfigured on a daily basis and has also proven to be durable and quickly adaptive. It provides an environment that encourages students to be creative and work collaboratively. From beginning to end of this project, IOS and Kimball have provided extraordinary design, products and customer service,” concluded Maurice.
Innovative Office Solutions was invited by local business leaders to head up the design of the classroom and, in collaboration with Kimball Office and PBK Architects, started working on concepts and designs. Kimball Office and PBK Architects had partnered together in 2012 on a “Learner Think Tank” project. This research as well as multiple interactions between Kimball Office and PBK, combined with IOS’ leadership and project management, led to the design and, ultimately, the unveiling of the classroom in an official cable-cutting ceremony in August.
A wide variety of Kimball Office product was used to create an engaging environment conducive to learning, including: Hum, Scenario, Fit, Villa, Beo Lounge, Traxx, Wish, and Priority.
About Innovative Office Solutions
Innovative Office
Solutions is a full-service dealer that provides furniture and
professional interior space planning to corporate, healthcare,
educational, hospitality, and government accounts. Located in Maria
Stein, Ohio, IOS is a Kimball Office Select Dealer Partner. For
additional information, visit www.ios-inc.com.
About Kimball Office
Kimball Office has been transforming
workspaces for nearly 45 years with an ever-widening breadth of
relevant, sustainable office furniture solutions. As one of America's
most respected environmentally-conscious contract office furniture
manufacturers, they provide architects, designers, facility managers,
and employers with open plan system solutions, both modern and classic
desking, and a range of conference and seating options. The company is a
brand unit of Kimball International, Inc., (NASDAQ:KBALB), a $1.2
billion publicly-traded company headquartered in Jasper, Ind. Learn how
Kimball Office is changing workspaces by visiting www.kimballoffice.com.
About PBK
Founded in 1981, PBK is a comprehensive planning
and design firm that specializes in architecture, MEP engineering,
structural engineering, civil engineering, master planning, technology
consulting, exterior building envelope consulting and interior design.
The company services clients in the Healthcare, Civil/Public, Higher Ed,
K-12 and Sport Facility markets. With more than 150 employees, PBK has
offices in Houston, Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, McAllen, San
Antonio, Baton Rouge, and Tulsa. For additional information about PBK
Architects, visit www.pbk.com.
About Kimball International
Recognized with a reputation for
excellence, Kimball International is committed to a high performance
culture that values personal and organizational commitment to quality,
reliability, value, speed, and ethical behavior. Kimball employees know
they are part of a corporate culture that builds success for Customers
while enabling employees to share in the Company’s success through
personal, professional and financial growth.
Kimball International, Inc. provides a variety of products from its two business segments: the Electronic Manufacturing Services segment and the Furniture segment. The Electronic Manufacturing Services segment provides engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain services which utilize common production and support capabilities to a variety of industries globally. The Furniture segment provides furniture for the office and hospitality industries sold under the Company’s family of brand names.