Let’s meet the children of Through Their Eyes—Artcobell's movement to design learning environments from the perspective of students who use them every day.
Their personas will give you a first-hand perspective on how different learners perceive their surroundings. From the child who thrives when she can move to the one who needs a quiet corner to recharge, to the student who feels empowered when everything is within reach, we uncover opportunities to make environments more inclusive, more adaptable, and more inspiring when we see a classroom "through their eyes."
With this series, we invite you to imagine what education can become....
Hi, I’m Jade. I’m 13, and most people who know me would probably say I’m “quiet.”
But I don’t feel quiet on the inside.
Inside, my mind is full of stories, choreography, colors, and ideas that move faster than I can ever get them out.
I love ballet because it lets me express things without words—grace, emotion, rhythm, a whole story told just through movement. I love reading for the same reason: books let me step into different worlds and imagine whole lives beyond my own.
In school, I work hard. I think deeply. I’m curious about almost everything.
But I experience fine motor delays, which means the physical parts of school—writing by hand, cutting, gripping tiny objects—can be hard for me. Sometimes my hands get tired before my brain is done thinking. Sometimes I know exactly what I want to say, but it takes forever to put it on paper.
I don’t want people to think I’m slow or not trying. I’m trying. I’m trying a lot.
I just need tools that let my brain lead without my hands holding me back.
Here’s what learning feels like through my eyes.
MEET MY FRIENDS
Tools That Let Me Show What I Really Know
I can think fast. I can imagine fast.
My hands just don’t always follow.
That’s why I use things like:
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speech-to-text
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typing on a tablet with a keyboard
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pencil grips
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stylus pens
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extra time for writing
These aren’t shortcuts.
They’re bridges—ways for me to express everything I’m capable of without getting stuck on the physical parts.
When I can type or speak my ideas, I feel free.
A Desk That Moves With Me Helps My Brain Move Too
I like sitting sometimes. I like standing other times.
And sometimes I perch in between—balanced, focused, thinking.
A height-adjustable desk lets me switch depending on what I’m doing or how much energy my body has. The soft edges feel comfortable, and the smooth surface lets me spread out books or my tablet when I’m planning or drafting.
And the Flip+Nest T-leg table gives me room to think visually—sketching ideas, mapping out a story, or organizing my thoughts without tiny, tiring handwriting.
Comfort Helps Me Focus, Not Drift
When I’m uncomfortable, my mind wanders.
When I’m supported, my body feels still and my thoughts feel clearer.
That’s why I like:
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fidget bands around the chair legs
The movement from the fidget band is calming.
The footrest helps my posture.
The soft seat keeps me from tensing up.
These small things make a big difference in how long I can concentrate.
Calm Spaces Help Me Stay Steady
I do my best work in quiet, gentle environments—places with soft lighting, muted colors, and fewer distractions.
Acoustic panels and privacy screens help block out noise so I don’t lose my train of thought.
A visual schedule nearby helps me stay organized without having to juggle too many details at once.
Calm doesn’t mean boring.
It means I can breathe and think.
Tech-Friendly Furniture Lets Me Learn My Way
Because I use technology every day, it helps when my workspace is actually designed for it.
I like furniture with:
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built-in places for my tablet
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room for a keyboard
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clean cable paths instead of tangles
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a stable surface for speech-to-text
It makes me feel confident—not cluttered or overwhelmed.
Being Part of the Group Matters to Me
Even though I’m quiet, I like collaborating.
I just need space and tools that help me join in without pressure.
Flexible seating and collaborative zones let me choose where to sit during group work. Maybe at a table. Maybe on a soft seat. Maybe nearby but not in the middle.
I like being included in ways that feel comfortable and respectful.
I’m More Than My Challenges
I’m a dancer.
A reader.
A thinker.
A creator.
A friend.
A student who works hard and cares deeply.
Some things take me longer.
Some things frustrate me.
But none of that stops me from trying—or from imagining big, bright things.
When my classroom gives me calm, flexibility, tools that support my hands, and choices that support my mind, I feel confident.
I feel capable.
I feel like all the creativity inside me can actually come out into the world.
This is what learning looks like through my eyes.
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