Sandtray World Reflections: School Desks

Several years ago I built my old primary school in Minecraft Education, mostly as a demonstration on how educators could have students use Minecraft to build accurate models of buildings and structures and use it as a tool to preserve or recreate historical buildings. 

My old primary school

I always felt that the school was missing "something", and that was the usual, but frequently forgettable artifacts of school life... desks, chairs, easels, overhead projectors... you get the idea. 

Over time, using Blockbench, I've created various artifacts to "complete" the school, so it more accurately reflects how it was when I attended it. Posted here, are two of these elements; two versions of the school desks that were inflicted on us. I say "inflicted" because these antiques (which incidentally predated the invention of the ball point pen by many years) had been around before anyone started considering ergonomics as a factor of importance. Struggling to remain still, comfortable, and yet also able to work was a real challenge, and our honest attempts to do so resulted in the class being shouted at to "stop fidgeting!" 

I still remember slowly sliding back in my seat until I could barely reach the desktop, then trying to surreptitiously shuffle forward again without attracting the bane of the teacher.  

You'll note that at the top right corner of the desk is a small hole. We had all sorts of theories as to what the purpose of it was; our own tests invalidated it as either an effective pencil holder or drink holder. At some point, a teacher revealed it as a holder for an inkwell for fountain pens. I imagine we had the same look on our faces as when I mention floppy disks or VCRs to students today. 

Interesting note... there were no "left-handed" desks!

At any rate, these two incredibly uncomfortable desks now have a more public home in Ellie Finch's, PlayMode Academy Sandtray Therapy world, where players can sit in them, without any of the real world discomfort!