New study finds 79 per cent of Indian students prefer classrooms where seating can be rearranged

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A new study has found that more Indian students now prefer flexible classrooms amid the rise of smart learning in India. It showed that 79 per cent of students prefer learning environments where seating can be rearranged for collaboration or focused study.

The new revelation is a part of the whitepaper, "Beyond the Screens: The Rise of Smart Learning Spaces" that Interio by Godrej released examining how schools across India are adopting technology-enabled learning and what is required to create effective smart learning environments.

Developed by the Workspace & Ergonomics Research Cell of the furniture brand, the whitepaper explores how learning environments that integrate technology, ergonomic furniture and flexible classroom layouts can enhance student engagement, collaboration and learning outcomes. The research draws insights from a diverse group of students across disciplines, age group (19-28), regions, colleges and universities, providing a comprehensive understanding of evolving learning needs and the role of technology in shaping modern educational environments.

The whitepaper highlights the transformation of classrooms into technology-enabled learning environments. It reveals that 100 per cent of teachers surveyed believe technology improves student engagement and understanding, while 91 per cent have received formal technology training, indicating increasing readiness among educators to enhance digital teaching methods. The research also found that all surveyed schools have already integrated technology into classrooms, with 75 per cent of teachers describing classroom technology as seamless and intuitive. However, despite widespread adoption, technology continues to be used primarily for classroom instruction, indicating significant opportunities to expand its use for assessments, analytics, structured feedback and personalised learning.

The study also highlights the role of classroom design in improving learning outcomes. It found that 94 per cent of teachers who can reconfigure classroom furniture report being more effective. Schools equipped with smart classrooms have recorded an average 22 per cent increase in enrollment across 19 Indian cities, highlighting the impact of technology-enabled education on accessibility and student participation.

The whitepaper also states that technology alone cannot transform learning environments. Screen visibility, acoustics, classroom layout, ergonomic furniture, reliable maintenance and integrated learning spaces are equally important in ensuring technology delivers meaningful educational outcomes.

Commenting on the findings, Sameer Joshi, who is the senior vice president and Head of B2B Business, with the company said, "India's education ecosystem spans over 14.71 lakh schools and serves more than 24.69 crore students , making the quality of learning environments critical to future learning outcomes. Government investments of Rs 1.47 lakh crore under the Smart Cities Mission have accelerated the adoption of technology-enabled classrooms. The classroom is no longer just a space for delivering information; it is becoming an environment where collaboration, creativity and critical thinking are nurtured. While schools have made significant progress in adopting digital technologies, the next phase of transformation lies in creating learning spaces that integrate technology with thoughtful design, ergonomics, flexibility and comfort."