seattng
good student seems tohang with good students and bad students hangs with bad student .i try to mix them if i can .it does help
Yes, good points. In my language arts class, I try to seat students who only write textese and email shorthand with students who speak, read, and write standard American English. However, the latter are very hard to find. Good hints about not having two hostile parties sit across from each other. Also think judicious use of colors and music would probably enhance learning. I plan to give it a try.
Michael,
This is a great strategy. I like the concept of the class contract. I generally tell my students that I don't need to assign seats as they always take care of that by themselves. Within two class meetings everyone will have settled & barring insanity they will keep those seats for the rest of the term. Very interesting...
Dr. Ryan Meers
Maribeth,
This is a great idea. Do you know if this also helps in the overall retention area as the freshman now has an upperclassmen to connect with? Just curious...
Dr. Ryan Meers
I do not assign seating in my classes. Students need to decide which seat best suits their needs according to their learning style. Regardless of seat choice, professional behavior is expected and a class contract is used to make students aware of the rules of conduct expected such as no cell phone use. This is part of professional habit development as a nurse.
I agree with pairing students with one another. I use this in my laboratory class and have always been very successful with the freshman/senior pairing. It reenforces all the knowledge the senior has and creates a mentoring relationship with the freshman.
Good point!. I am going to use it in my classroom
I don't agree with this. Many times students get abset when you ask them to change the seats.
yes mixing up the bad and good students does help some. I let them work in their chose of groups for the fist week or two then make them change every week after. I feel that working with asmany different people can always better the education. difffernt people see things that others may miss. just like some things come easier to some and then they can help others.
Hi Gilbert!
I like to have students to change seating about every 3rd class. This approach lets them get to know the classmate that's currently in close proximity then moving them allows them to get to others. Then assigning the group project leads to better outcomes.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I find that students like to gather in clicks, or stay in their comfort zone. I think most of us tend to do that. However, I find it helpful to move my students around, pairing the stronger skilled with the ones that need to work on speed, consistency, and the quality of work. As a pastry chef instructor, I see a great diversity of people coming into my class, it's funny to see the younger ones clinging to the older students.
Yes that seems to be the usual behavior and mixing up the students takes a bit coercion but in the long run it is better for the lower performing students educational outcomes. I tend to be complacent about seating because it is adult education and you trust students choices.
Hi Timothy!
Because most of our classrooms are all set very similiar, I am convinced when we make even the smallest change it encourages learning.
Let me know how the change works in our classroom.
Good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 facilitator
wow this sounds like a great idea.Ill have to try it. THANKS.
Each course I teach there are group assignments. I encourage students to sit with their group members. During group time students are able to discuss the lecture/presentation with each other. Students are able to share their understanding of the lectures and assignments with one another.
I have personally found that members of a group often retain different parts of a lecture or assignment, and are able to share their understanding with each other thus benefiting (enhancing the learning experience) the group as a whole.
I tend to disagree... I have recently found some students sit in the back of the room to in order to engage better with the whole class.
I like it Karen! Do you do this for each class or do you allow them to work together for a few classes and change them again?
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
In my classes (nursing) I allow them to sit wherever they want. I have had the opposite experiences with the quiet ones in the front and the "texters" in the back. Classroom space is very tight but in skills lab I have them grab a hidden color of paper then sit at the corresponding table. This has helped getting the students together while not in their usual group.
Good for you Kenneth!
We all like creature comforts. I find that most public seating is very uncomfortable because there isn't enough space to not be in your neighbors space.
Good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
Hi Lanny!
I like your announcement - it definitely lets those back seaters know you are on alert.
When I have students on the back row who I feel are performing up to par or are focused on something else, I will have the class to rotate seating the next week - and the the next if necessary.
Good job!
Jane Davis
Ed107 Facilitator
