Seating.
The "U" to me is the best seating arrangement, students can see each other while asking a question, discussions are very easy to have and maintain because students are not constantly having to look over their shoulders.
Andres,
I too really like the U & in many corporate training settings this is the preferred seating arrangement as well.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I do use the U seating for classes, you can see what all stundent are doing and walk around the outside or the inside of the student
Michael,
I too feel the U is one of the best seating arrangements for effective discussion & participation.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Dr. Meers,
What do you do when you have no control over the number of students enrolled in a class resulting in the class being overcrowded?
Sherry,
great question. The best thing I can suggest is to speak with those in charge of the numbers & emphasize that there is a maximum number for effectiveness. Unfortunately with the tougher economic times we are constantly looking for ways to maximize the money & often this means larger classrooms (& fewer instructors). Again, try to make sure that those making these decisions understand that certain classes can only handle so many students without the academics/instruction suffering.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
At our facility we have classrooms that use the round tables and other rooms that use U shape. The classes that use the round table seating are for the environment that wants the students to learn as a group through discussions. These are usually are larger size classrooms and base knowledge.
The other style is used for the advanced courses where the learning is more in detail. Each case the seating fits the learning environment.
I see a few other classes that will group students together infront of a presentation in there seats, while there is room for the instructor to walk all the way around if needed to direct information to any student sitting in any position in the classroom. It is something I have wanted to try.
The choice of seat is important to many students. How do you accomodate students with the same request?
Lisa,
this is a challenge to be sure. One way is to do the old "first come, first served" idea. Or you potentially rotate seats every so often if appropriate. Another consideration would definitely be if there is a learning issue at state in which a particular arrangement would help a student be successful.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Lisa,
I generally prefer open seating and therefore follow the first come first served rule. However, I have also found that friends sitting together can often be a distraction so I tend to enforce "seat rotations" on a frequent basis. It works, allows others to have choice seats, and because the students know it is coming they don't feel like they are being singled out.
I do not have control over the seating in my classroom. I have skinny tables that face the front of the room. I love this arrangement. I used to have tables that were not facing the front and students faced each other. Some students had their backs to me as I was trying to lecture. There was no way to keep their attention. The current set up allows students to turn around and work together when there are group activities.
Kelly,
we don't always have the control over the set up, but learning to take advantage of what we have is key.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have really noticed that students always gravitate depending on their standing in class and demographics also seem to come to play as well. So I try to change it from time to time. It has its pros and cons but it still goes back eventually, so it is a challenge.
I like the U shape. I also think seating in small groups is helpful for team discussion and activities.
I have the long tables also I really like this arrangement I had round tables and I agree it is very hard to lecture with this arrangement also I have better class control with the long tables.
