A few years back I read an article that made me really wish
my technology lab desks were not bolted to the ground (tried to find the
article again for citing purposes but couldn’t). The following is my thoughts on
classroom seating arrangements and technology usage.
Most classrooms are set up in one of five different
arrangements.
1)
Traditional columns and rows-this method is
still the most predominately used method in middle and high schools. “Traditional rows of desks or tables facing
the focal point are often used for teacher-centered activities (lecturing,
giving directions, or presenting on the whiteboard) or for independent
activities (tests, silent reading). Many teachers use this arrangement as the
“default.” However, there are “dead zones” in the corners and the back of the
room with this arrangement; students in the front center also are more likely
to get your attention. While this arrangement minimizes distractions, it also
limits student-to-student discussions since students are looking at the backs
of other students” (HP1to1Guide, 2010).
This
is probably the hardest set up to monitor technology usage because it takes the
teacher a while to navigate the room both with sight and mobility. On the other
hand, if the teacher’s desk is placed in the back of the room and rules are
established regarding the angle of the laptop or tablet device, this can be a
very effective way to monitor for a teacher that tends to be stationary in the
classroom setting.
2)
Islands-desks grouped – This method often groups
students together based on teachers conceived idea of what works best
personality wise in the classroom. “If
you do a lot of collaborative activities, consider pushing desks together.
Pairs of desks are good for turn-and-talk activities, and groups of three to
four are appropriate for cooperative learning. You can also use the lab tables
for small group work, unless equipment and materials are set up for another
class. In pairs or groups, be sure students can still see a screen or focal
point for instructions or debriefing. This arrangement could be distracting
during independent work” (HP1to1Guide, 2010).
This
is probably my favorite way to teach with technology, especially if students
are doing research and I am working the room anyway. This allows me to see many
devices at one time and to easily work with the students. My rule is that the
device always has to be desk level and sometimes, depending on the nature of
the lesson plan, I require my students to keep their iPad flat for the period
of time when I am giving instructions and not being able to work the classroom.
3)
U-shaped – Allows for collaboration but good
teacher integration. “Students can see
each other, which fosters student-to-student discussions within a large group.
This is also useful for teacher-centered presentations, as you can maintain eye
contact with all students. As students work, you can zip across the inner space
to provide assistance where needed. For large group discussions, you can close
the U into a circle and sit with the students, sending the message that you are
part of the discussion. However, this takes up a lot of space, and some
students may be easily distracted during independent work” (HP1to1Guide, 2010).
When teachers work from inside the area of
the horseshoe, they are close enough to view tablets well. The downside with
this is that if a student is using a laptop, it is very hard to view what they
are doing. As a teacher, one must make sure you are very engaging in your
delivery to keep students on task. If you tend to teach from the front of the
classroom only, this is probably one of the best ways to allow for technology
use during lectures because it gives the students the feeling that you are very
close to them through the use of your eye contact and moving around in the half
semi-circle.
4)
Circle – Great for discussion purposes. “This has the benefit of providing ample
opportunity for interaction but hinders the ability to utilize the board. It
can also be challenging when having the students take quizzes and tests in that
it is easier for students to cheat” (Classroom Arrangement, 2013). This allows
for an excellent way to use the Socratic teaching method and usually leads to
active engagement of the student because all eyes are on them. When using
technology for research after group discussions, teachers can work the room
from the outside of the circle to make sure students are on task.
5)
Debate (or runway model)– Allows for students to
openly discuss opposing sides of an argument. “This seating chart is the most practical (although
not most ideal) way to arrange your chairs if class discussion is important to
you, because students can always face at least half the class, and most can see
the faces of about 75 percent of their classmates easily. Just remember, as you
teach in the center aisle, you may have the unnerving feeling of being
surrounded” (Rookie Teaching Techniques, 2013).
This method works best if student desks are
grouped on each side of your runway instead of in the typical rows with space.
The grouping allows you to more easily eyeball the device usage while teaching.
Remember, it is quite possible to implement many of these different desk placement scenarios in one class seating. Place pictures of the different setups for desk placement somewhere prominent in your classroom. At the beginning of the year, practice moving from one set up to the next with your students by pointing at the pictures. Time students as they move from one set up to the next and keep that time posted in the classroom so that it can become a game to see how quickly they can move from one part of the lesson to the next. Have classes compete against each other. Rearranging your desk placement not only will help you monitor your students’ technology usage but it will also breathe a little life into their day.
Great ideas here, thank you. As you said there are times for any of these seating arrangements depending on the environment you wish to create. One idea I'm toying with is to get my students desks outfitted with either casters or glides so that it is easier to move desks.
ReplyDeleteAnother obstacle is that my laptop has to be attached to a dock in order for anything to project to the one screen in the class. My workaround might be to log onto a student device, if there is an extra, as I walk around the room.
In the elementary classroom you are at an advantage because students LIKE TO sit in the floor. You could adopt the classroom arrangements with just bodies if you wanted to without actually moving desks. Wouldn't work for everything but a definite possibility.
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ReplyDeleteNice article. Very much informative. Keep writing and share information