Seating assignments... kind of silly!
Seems like setting up seating assignments after the fact, help in quieting a class of talkative friends. But this isn't grammar school, and right off the bat some students will feel like you are treating them as such. If you have a noisy class or certain students disrupt the class, address it immediately and take charge. I find it weak having to say, "If you can't simmer down I will have to rearrange the seating."
Take the noisy student outside in the hall and discuss the problem. Other students will know you mean business.
I thought it was silly too! Until I actually did it. For example, I had these sisters that decided to attend school...together. What I mean by that is they did EVERYTHING together. They were attached at the hip so to speak. Neither student was great academically, always distracted or preoccupied with outside issues. I separated the entire class into lab groups. They had to remain in these groups for the entire course. Both sisters achieved higher score on all assignments/exams/skills/etc... From that point on, they decided to take it upon themselves to arrange thier own seating away from each other. I have continued to do seating arrangements whenever an issue arises. By the way, I still see these 2 and they always thank me for "cutting the cord"
Carey
I like the idea of rotating the rows. It is often hard to tell which student in the back is talking. This way the entire row will be moved to the front and they will all know which student in that row is responsible and hopefully put some pressure on him.
I agree. I had moved them and rearranged the room and it didn't go over well at first. Their immediate reaction was that it was grade school. I did mix up the talkative students. I'm concerned about moving the front row to the following row because they get there to get the front row, not due to default.
I agree with you. All of my students are adults, and I treat them accordingly. I think it is demeaning to assign seats. I notice in my classes each student naturally gravitates to an area of the room that is comfortable for him/her, and this is fine with me. We are creatures of habit, and I cannot help but wonder if where they choose to sit represents where they sat in high school. I also notice that disruptive and inattentive students end up sitting alone for the entire semester. It usually takes a class or two, but eventually the rest of the class collectively isolates them.
I see your point, but as the material was presented it was putting the seating assignment as a benefit to the students. Even when its for our own sanity, making the students think its about them really can help.
In my program students partner up for lab each week, and I don't allow them to be with the same person from one week to the next and will change their partners if I see fit. They know this up front and I have never had an issue with it.
I have approached the problem of talking and disruptive students in a few ways. Frequent quizzes tend to help. The students realize that they need to pay attention to pass. I have talked to students privately. Occasionally, I tell the disruptive student that other students have complained or I tell them I don't mind if they talk but that they need to take their conversations outside. Telling the student that other students paid to hear the materal also helps. I have tried the group approach but these same students don't seem to care about participating and they will do their own thing during group meetings.
Hi John,
I see your point, but the old strategy is so effective. I like using name tents for my college students... not as elementary. This method is effective as well.
Patricia
Yes, it seems childish to have to go to assigned seating, but if you have a large class this may be an opstion for you.
Hi Dan,
What type of response do you typically get from students when you make the joke about only bad students sit in the back of the classroom?
Patricia
I agree with that, students should respect eachother education, and teachers. On the first day of class, it is easy to spot "renagade" students that sit all the way in the back of the class when there is plenty available sits in the front... I always like to start with a joke stating that when I was a kid only my teacher would told me only bad students sit in the back of the classroom, then I will invite all those student to sit closer to me, joking around again by promissing them I will not bite them :-)
Yes. The increased infantilization of, well, everything in our culture is troubling. To treat adult learners in this kindergarten-esque manner only feeds the problem. You may be dealing with "kidults," but you must maintain a completely adult learning environment.
A student won't shut up? Calmly point out that he or she is damaging the learning environment for the other students and that you reserve the right to eject him or her from the classroom should the disruption continue.
I agree with taking the student outside and having a talk about their behavior to set things straight. However there are times when a students seating in relation to the dynamics of the group can be addressed. For example, when two students with weak scores sit together or are friends can effect their learning outcomes. If you split them up then they have to fend for themselves and hopefully set the stage for better study habits if you work with them.
Instead of the obvious - having seat assignments. When doing group work, regularly mix up the groups. Have groups assignments early and late in the class, this way they stay seated together.
Silly, yes. Especially if the premise is as stated: some unspecified research about correlation between seat and grade. This also assume that the classroom is arranged in rows. Even in my children;s elementary school, the teachr re-arranges the classroom configuration at points during the year. The notion of groups, forcing groups or setting-up interaction is more useful.
Silly, yes. Especially if the premise is as stated: some unspecified research about correlation between seat and grade. This also assume that the classroom is arranged in rows. Even in my children;s elementary school, the teachr re-arranges the classroom configuration at points during the year. The notion of groups, forcing groups or setting-up interaction is more useful.
Seating assignments is also part of organization student expect in the classroom. Assignments are needed are also needed if the lesson is structured to include various and diverse peer to peer exchanges.
I totally agree, a noisy student is seeking attention and need to be taken outside to discuss the behavior, and if necessary ask the student to sit by himself, it is not grammar school but they need to be remimded the consequences of their behavior.
I agree with your perspective about students and teacher feeling like it's grammar school. I forewarn that I will move students around regularly so as to build the class as team and to allow each student to not only learn from others but to experience teaching their peers, allowing all to "stretch" more than they expected. I explain the scientific stats of hope teaching another ingrains the material multiply fold in yourself.
