Seating
In this topic i see how is importante to have a good estructure for the class. Paying attention on the details and organize your classroom really will make the diference when an instructor teach your class!!!
Teaching computer application classes, I am locked into the classroom setup. I always make sure that I am near the screen so the students can view me as well as what is being shown and discussed.
I under stand set up issues, depending on the size of the room and number of students, you dont have much wiggle room.
Karen,
yes, sometimes we can't rearrange the room, but we need to make the best of the situation, like you have done.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I was going to say the exact same thing! I have organize my classroom really and I see differences in learners.
Students always appreciate a well organized instructor. Some students will verbalize their appreciation, while others show it in their efforts to do their best work.
Robin,
yes, the organization really is key as we are setting a good example & they are much more likely to pay attention.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
With a small class, putting then in a U shaped formation rather than a row formation makes a huge difference in classroom discussions.
Douglas,
yes, the U shaped formation is considered the best arrangement for interaction.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I always try to be organized and the students seem to appreciate it.
Frank,
I've found that if I'm disorganized it can hamper my credibility in the subject matter.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree and try to set up the classroom in a student centered approach. Don't make it feel like just a lecture.
Johan,
and ease of discussion with one another is just as important as with me.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I taught a class where the students were seated at their computer and after several iterations of the class I moved the computer behind the student so they were not able to access the computer while we were in lecture. Worked great! Wish I wuld have moved them earlier.
I too have the same problem. I tech technology classes and always in the same room. I do not have any choice with moving the classroom around given that the connections are all to one side and the size of the room did not give much options. But I did take the opportunity move shelves that was against one wall to another corner of the room and add work tables for the students to work on. This gave them more work area to work on computers. Which the students really appreciated. So, perhaps looking for something like that in the room to move around just to add a little change.
If you look organize then the students will jump on broad. Now It is a little hard to assign seats to adults so I see nothing wrong with them finding their own seat
I absolutely agree. I try to be as prepared as I can be before I start class. Monitor on, notes out, handouts ready, erase board pens available, etc. If I spend time getting ready to start my class subject while the students are sitting there watching me, they tend to start talking and I've already lost some of their attention. I feel my credibility is diminished as I always stress being prepared! You can never be over prepared. Be a good example.
Debbie,
so true & I also try to keep announcements to a minimum. Obviously there are times to discuss these things in class to clarify, answer questions, but overall we should utilize the school's LMS, etc for announcements, info.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
So seating for a lecture should rows facing the front?
Shane,
not necessarily always. I like to utilize the horseshoe or U shape if I'm going to incorporate discussion into my lecture.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
