Ordinarily I leave the seats in rows as is because there is not a lot of flexibility for seating arrangments in the classrooms I work in, but I do switch it up for large group discussion. In several of my classes, our final project involves a round table dicussion. I make the students move their chairs into a large circle so everyone can see everyone else. I explain that this takes the attention off of me as the instructor and focuses on letting everyone in the class feel like equals. After one or two people present their questions/topics, all the rest of the students catch on and start chiming in their opinions or questions. This simple change in seating produces DRASTIC results!
I never realized before what was making the room feel so cold! I teach graphic design, and the students are all in rows facing the fromt. This has been a revelation!
I too love that seating style and was lucky enough to have experienced in it as a student. However, the school I teach at does not have classrooms that give us this kind of freedom in the seating arrangement. Often times the classrooms are already so overcrowded that moving into groups becomes a difficult feat. Students tend to resist moving their seats becouse it is so cramped in the room.
I like variety. I think it's important to keep students moving in different seating patterns. I'm lucky that I can have my room set up with U-shaped configuration of the tables or move the tables apart for group work. I can also have students bring their chairs to the middle of the room and sit in a circle with no tables in front of them. I even have students stand in circles to do some discussion because it is so hard to sit for two hours straight.
Janet
My classes are also in a kitchen lab and having the students gather around the demo table makes for an informal setting which seems to encourage questions or comments. I do try to have she shorter ones up front or make a space for the shy ones by asking them to help me out with a part of set up insuring that they end up near the front.
When i do leacture i have been trying to take advantage of some opf our acidenic classrooms. the short walk outside our lab invigorates people and the newness and comfort of real chairs helps to keep them focused.
Hi Patrice!
Great comments! I will caution that those students who sit in the back are typically there for a reason. Be !
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
Although I like the U shape, I also appreciate the fishbone module with rectangular tables. It allows me to move around the classroom easily, and facilitates both focus on instruction as well as cooperative learning. Since research indicates that kinesthetic learners sit in the back, I would also liek to toy with rotaing the class each week, so that everyone gets a turn in the front as well as the back.
I also must agree, when I am doing a demo I have the students form a u shape around the table. This allows everyone to be near and they are able to ask questions.
u shape is the most logical choice. But some room sizes do not allow for that type of seating.
i AGREE W/ YOU WHEN i DO A DEMO I HAVE ALL THE STUDENT AROUND ME
Hi, Shani.
great comment, I wish I could implement the same seating arrangements for my classes, but unfortunatelly my classes are in a Kitchen lab environment and it's kind of difficult so, instead I let all my students gather around my demo table while at the same time I have the demo show on the screens for those students in the back and so far has been a great success.
I LIKE THE V SHAPE BECAUSE THE FOCUS CAN BE ON THE INSTRUCTOR ON THE FLIP CART OR OVER HEAD AND DOES NOT SEEM TO CREATE ANY STRAIN ON THE STUDENT TO SEE EVERYTHING . SOMETIMES THE U SHAPE PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO LOOK LEFT OR RIGHT WHICH CAN BE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE.
I agree with you 100%. I use this seating arrangement in all of my classes. I find it easier for the students to focus on me and I can focus on all of the students.
The U shape works best for my classes. It allows the students to interact with each other, while allowing me to walk around within the U.
Good morning Michael,
Great bservation! I, too, find that adult learners are not intimated by being part of the whole group - more of them want to sit on the front row. So - the circle of semi-circle is a great way to make that happen.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
Ed107 Facilitator
Todays adult education i find that seating can really open the student learning experience up. I have found that if you set up the seats as they were in high school the adult students kinda shut down. where as if you place them at a round table or in a u shape and discuss the topics in the middle of the students their more open to learning.
Good afternoon Shani!
I applaud you for reducing obstacles to learning. I like to move around in the classroom as well for a couple of reasons 1)It feels less like me against them, 2) Helps keep students more alert, and 3) More informal and conducive to learning.
I really like your seating arrangement idea. Students have a tendency to sit in the same place week after week when there is so much to learn from each other.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
