Changes

Have standards for classroom environment in public education changed? Recently I saw pictures of an 1881 classroom with students sitting in rows of desks. I attended a one-room school house and sat in the same desks my Dad had used. The desks were attached to wood so we all sat in neat rows. I started teaching in 1968. Then, the children sat at desks for independent work. Last school year (2006-2007) my students sat at similar desks for much of their independent work time. I did group and regroup the desks for vary work assignment but.... Aren't there more learner friendly environments? In the out-of-school community, most learning occurs in much different settings. Why haven't schools changed their furniture to create a more comfortable learning environment? What can I do to make my classroom a inviting energizing work space?