79% of students prefer flexible classrooms as smart learning gains momentum in India, reveals a study from Interio by Godrej

Interio by Godrej, a leading furniture brand from the Godrej Enterprises Group, has unveiled its latest whitepaper, “Beyond the Screens: The Rise of Smart Learning Spaces,” 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 at Interio by Godrej, 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.

Commenting on the findings, Sameer Joshi, Senior Vice President and Head of B2B Business, Interio by Godrej 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 ₹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. At Interio by Godrej, we believe the future of education depends not only on smart devices but on smart learning spaces that enable teachers to teach better and students to learn better."

The whitepaper highlights the transformation of classrooms into technology-enabled learning environments. It reveals that 100% of teachers surveyed believe technology improves student engagement and understanding, while 91% 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% 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% of teachers who can reconfigure classroom furniture report being more effective, while 79% of students prefer learning environments where seating can be rearranged for collaboration or focused study. These findings show that flexible furniture, ergonomic seating, effective acoustics and well-planned audio-visual infrastructure are essential complements to technology in creating engaging learning environments.

Schools equipped with smart classrooms have recorded an average 22% increase in enrolment 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.