Thanks, Gary.
I enjoyed the course, and hope to be taking more in the future.
John Beach
Hi John,
I if I can be of any further help please let me know. It would be a pleasure to work with you.
Gary
Thanks, Gary. It gets a little more difficult (although not impossible) to move a student when the student is maintaining a particular computer workstation that is not easily moved. So, it's critical that instructors in such situations assess the student needs early in the course.
There are also logical breaks in the course (after a clean system reinstall, for example) where the move can be made.
Hi John,
You have a very clear and comprehensive approach to your classroom/lab. You are really providing a service to your students, whether they appreciate it or not, by putting them into groups and assigning them a seat. This way you can direct the dynamics of the class if you need to by moving students around. I move my students on occasion to give them exposure to other students. I tell them that I will be doing this throughout the course, so when I do it is no surprise. This approach lets me make the move if I have a student management issue without it seeming as such. Thus, it doesn't get the students stressed.
Gary
In my experience, the students who sit in the back rows are the ones who could benefit the most from sitting in the front row. They often "flee to the back," I suspect, in hopes of not being called upon nor watched too closely (so they can screw around).
It's one thing if they don't want to learn. I get those types of students sometimes, and a better place for them is NOT at the front of the room either, but for them to be in OUTSIDE of the classroom.
But if it's more a matter of the student having difficulties, or knowing that they are a slow learner that drives them to the back, we've have to do something that gets them closer to the front, especially the ones who have difficulties concentrating and remaining focused.
As I teach mostly computer courses, it becomes mandatory that students sit in the same place, and for them to care for and maintain the same machine. I find that it's best to assign the seating on the second day, after having a chance to assess what would be best for the students. (So, I don't do anything too drastic when they set up the machines on the first day that would keep them from being too tied to a particular student). And, as I have no intention of "singling out" a particular student during such a move, I use this opportunity instead to assign students into working groups (useful for my "client/server" activities). Many factors go into my choosing which groups that a student should be assigned into, but this is certainly an important part of that decision. And, one that I may not share with the student.
we have this pre-arranged desk set up which, of course we can change, but i'll try addressing the individuals in the back as well--working mainly with the active ones isn't so effective--as i think it weakens the total interest in my class more often than not.
Hi Ajani,
There are several things you can do. One, arrange the seats in a horseshoe so there are no back row seats. If that is not possible you can have assigned seating and mix the students up this will help to reduce the cliques from talking. When talking starts you can slowly walk to the area and this will stop the talking. If it doesn't talk with the offenders after class individually. If that doesn't work I address them while the class is in session. The last resort is that I ask them to leave the class because they are disrupting the learning of others.
Gary
