Collaborative Space
One thing that I have noticed is that there is a fine line that we straddle when we establish collaborative space in a classroom. Finding the balancing point between a static learning environment, where students are intimidated to speak, and a space that students feel TOO comfortable in. One way to get a feeling for what students relate to in a classroom is to pay attention to where they congregate to work and how they interact with each other and their environment.
Since I teach computer based courses it is a challenge to see how students can interact when they are hidden by computers. With labs that are laid out to be cost effective we as instructors need to make them learning effective. Watching students outside of class where and how they sit and interact can give guidance to how to make the classroom more effective. This also can give a hint as to how to avoid pitfalls when a student group has appropriated a classroom space where they feel they are in control to avoid classroom management issues.
I teach small groups of students in a classroom/lab enviroment. I like them to sit in a U shape and walk around while I lecture. As I ask questions they are facing eachother and I believe this promotes classroom discussion. This also helps demonstrate;ab exercises where the students can see before we enter the lab
Because I teach distance learning classes, collaborative space is etherial.
We sometimes have difficulty with students livng close to one anther collaborating on individual projects and those living far apart are unable to communicate easily.
Anyone have suggestions.
As an adjunct instructor who usually follows or precedes another class with only a few minutes of time between, I find that being able to control seating and layout of a room is difficult and impractical. Any suggestions on other ways to create a physical facilitative environmnent when you cannot arrange a room?
Hi Scott!
Students sit where it best suits their needs whether it is about their learning style or about tyring to get something over on the instructor. After a couple of classes, I ask students to sit in a different place of their choice, but I just might make suggestions to those that I want to keep a closer eye. I might give those students a special task that requires them to be in a helper capacity which might not necessarily be in the front of the room but some place in the middle. Anyway, the point is - we have to find a way to engage those students. Those we can't, self-select to withdrawn or just leave the school entirely because of non-commitment.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
A question: what do you do about self-selected seating?
While the module adresses some points (auditory learners will gravitate toward the front of the room, while kinesthetic learners will gravitate toward the back, apparently), it doesn't address some of the more problematic tendencies: sleepers, talkers and internet surfers in the back rows, for instance.
When a classroom is less than full, do you insist that sudents sit as close to the front as possible, or do you allow them to sit wherever they please?
I like the collaborative concept in computer labs - wherein a balance between tables designated for computers and clear work tables for gathering exist.
I like setting up my classroon so the students can interact with eac other as well as my self doing this allows for better interaction as well as class control .I like to see facial expressions because this tells me if the students are understanding the subject or not as some students will not tell you I do not understand what has been covered
