CLASSROOM ARRAGEMENT

Why Class Arrangement

Questions to consider

Basic Principles

Classroom Arrangement styles

Why classroom arrangement?• The main cause of off-task behavior is classroom seating

arrangement. (Bonus & Riordan, 1998).

• Room arrangement affects the learning process, student behavior, and student engagement.

(Florman, 2003; Lackney & Jacobs, 2002; Proshansky & Wolfe, 1974; Richards, 2006; Strong-Wilson & Ellis, 2007; Susi, 1989; Weinstein, 1977).

• We need spaces for activities• To make sure that we can monitor• To iptimize the teacher role and students role• To avoid the teacher centredness issues

Questions to consider when arranging classroom layout:

Can I see the faces of every single student and can they see me?

Can everyone see the board (if you're planning on using it)? Can the students see one another? Can I move around the room so that I can monitor

effectively? Is the layout can facilitate the students’ activities? Is there any student with special needs that I have to

facilitate?

Basic Principles of Classroom Arrangement

Reduce congestion in high-traffic areas. Make sure that you can easily see all students. Make often-used teaching materials and student

supplies easily accessible. Make sure that students can easily observe

whole-class presentations.

• Auditorium style• Face-to-face style• Off-set style• Seminar style• Cluster style

Classroom Arrangement Styles

The most-often-seen classroom arrangements styles

Think of the advantages and disadvantage

Row seating reduces talking.(Koneya, 1976; Ridling, 1994; Silverstein & Stang, 1976; Wannarka & Ruhl, 2008; Weinstein, 1979).Row seating impedes a teachers ability to walk between student desks and assess learning. (Weaver Dunne, 2001).

Variations of Classroom

Seating Arrangements

Variations of Classroom Seating The Action Zone

“Action Zone” Students in these

seats are more likelyto interact with the

teacher, ask questions, and

initiate discussion.

Variations of Classroom Seating An Example of an Effective Elementary School

Classroom Arrangement

9

Variations of Classroom Seating An Example of an Effective Secondary School

Classroom Arrangement

Few facts about cluster seating It is ideal for socially

facilitated learning. (Patton, Snell, Knight & Florman 2001).

It promotes “innovation.” (Raviv, Raviv & Reisel, 1990).

Students like each other more and communicate better when facing each other.

(O’Hare, 1998; Bovard, 1951).