Initially conceived to provide feelings of security in public libraries, the POD is also giving K-12 Teachers options for supporting students with neurodiverse learning styles and sensory differences.
In this blog, we go In The Field to share:
Also: High School and College uses of PODs, and Wheelchair Accessible PODs
Temple Grandin’s groundbreaking contributions to autism advocacy and sensory-friendly design have inspired countless individuals across various fields. For Joe Agati, Dr. Grandin’s emphasis on creating environments that accommodate diverse sensory needs struck a chord.
– Temple Grandin, Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals
As a child with dyslexia, reading and writing posed big challenges for Joe Agati Sr. He felt alienated and frustrated within the structure of earlier conventional education. His brain was wired to visualize and create. Through these struggles, he recognized the need for learning environments to be supportive of diverse learning styles. Agati’s POD is driven by a desire to improve people’s experiences in public spaces by providing feelings of security. Reading Dr. Grandin’s books, and meeting her in person, gave him insights on how to better understand and articulate why he was intuitively designing sensory-friendly public space furniture.
– Joe Agati Sr., Furniture Designer
Wanting to learn first-hand, from Teachers, how the PODs were working in their Middle School classrooms, we dropped in on Mario Rocha. Mr. Rocha couldn’t have been more generous with a surprise visit in the middle of a school day! He told us:
-Mario Rocha, Special Academic Instruction Teacher, Huerta Middle School
For elementary and high school classrooms, we recommend POD Quick Ship for its durability, ease of ordering and quick turn-around.
Click here to learn more about POD Quick Ship
Mr. Rocha has been using the PODS for 3 years, and he said they are always utilized because kids choose to sit in them. Students can have a cozy, private seating area, and a view of the classroom at the same time.
-Mario Rocha, Special Academic Instruction Teacher, Huerta Middle School
Design your POD Quick Ship in soothing neutral tones, or match your school colors with an array of pre-approved fabrics. All fabric selections pass a minimum 100,000 double rubs (Wyzenbeek test). Click here to see the full range of color options.
Fabric covered, curved screen provides a sense of security for neurodiverse students. The curved screen shields students’ backs and limits visual and auditory distractions. Use POD Quick as a stand-alone, or link several together in your elementary school, middle school or high school classroom.
Curious about the application of PODs in High Schools, we asked a High School Teacher for feedback, too. Here’s what they had to say.
-Teacher at MacDonald High School
Of course, our PODs have been used widely in college libraries as quiet zones since 2014. We all have different levels of sensitivity to sight, sound, and touch. That information overload can create challenges with concentration and self-regulation. PODs decrease outside sensory input, giving students a comfortable and secure space within the curved upholstered panels, to set up shop, charge devices, and store backpacks. The cocoon-like nature of the PODs provides a sense of security and comfort for students. They promote relaxation and focus, offering students a retreat from sensory overload or distractions. College students have long utilized the pods to collect their thoughts, relax, and focus on studying.
We had the distinct pleasure of meeting Dr. Temple Grandin, and hearing her lecture: “The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism & Asperger’s.” Dr. Grandin described the REAL issues of autism -the ones parents, teachers, and individuals on the spectrum face every day. Grandin shared practical strategies and helpful tips based on her “insider” perspective and research. She explained her “Visual Thinking” where she sees and works through a concept in images. Her ability to view complex systems in her mind’s eye, has helped her in equipment design and research used by policy makers. Today she is a professor, inventor and best-selling author. However, as a child, she says:
The POD Carrel offers similar respit for wheelchair users. Meeting ADA standards, it gives students the comfort of a curved, partially-enclosed space. Normalizing differences, the POD Carrel can be configured with other PODs as seen in the four leaf clover cluster of 3 regular PODs and 1 POD Carrel.
As a wheelchair accessible study space, this carrel has room for a wheelchair to pull up to the table, accessible table surface height, and knee clearance. Keeping the classroom flexible, the POD Carrel can also be used as a traditional carrel with a pull up chair. Combine the PODs to form a variety of shapes, or use them independently.
