The set-up of my classroom will begin and end as displayed in the image above. I believe that paired rows will best suite the environment of class lectures and discussion which will be a majority of my instruction. The spaces between the desks are conducive for walking around the room with ease for myself and the students. I also enjoy instructing my classes to work with partners on various assignments so the paired desks just go with my teaching style. Along with this arrangement, desks will be moved on any given class day to reflect that days instruction. For example, if I have planned group work for instruction time students will bunch clusters of desks together to the number of group members I have allotted. Other arrangements that will take place in my class are open discussion circles, independent rows, and an amphitheater styled arrangement.
The seating arrangement of the classroom has research that supports positive academic and behavioral outcomes as suggested by Wannark and Ruhl. This study found a correlation between the type of seating arrangement, learning outcomes, and performance. The study unveiled that individual seats in rows are conducive to independent work and help students focus with minimal distractions, grouping desks in pairs helps students subtly collaborate and follow discussions and lectures better, grouping desks increases collaboration but decreases focus and performance slightly. The main point I received from Wannark and Ruhl's study is that seating arrangements go hand in hand with what you plan on doing in class; every arrangement has its own perks and downfalls. I intend on acting upon this research and actively change my rooms arrangement any given day, at any given lesson.
As a result of creating my own class room map and researching the data correlated with seating arrangements I believe I have found some useful and applicable information. The supported research that suggests seating arrangements and class instruction correlate in terms of academic and behavioral performance was something I find truly valuable as an aspiring educator. Before creating this artifact I never really considered how important the class arrangement was and had not really put too much thought into it. I also learned that seating arrangements are more than just for the instructor, but they are also for the benefit of the students; the classroom is a shared space and the students have every right to feel comfortable and at home in your classroom. I hope to learn more seating arrangements that are proven to work and be effective in the classroom, as well as find success with the intended seating arrangements I have recommended above.
The seating arrangement of the classroom has research that supports positive academic and behavioral outcomes as suggested by Wannark and Ruhl. This study found a correlation between the type of seating arrangement, learning outcomes, and performance. The study unveiled that individual seats in rows are conducive to independent work and help students focus with minimal distractions, grouping desks in pairs helps students subtly collaborate and follow discussions and lectures better, grouping desks increases collaboration but decreases focus and performance slightly. The main point I received from Wannark and Ruhl's study is that seating arrangements go hand in hand with what you plan on doing in class; every arrangement has its own perks and downfalls. I intend on acting upon this research and actively change my rooms arrangement any given day, at any given lesson.
As a result of creating my own class room map and researching the data correlated with seating arrangements I believe I have found some useful and applicable information. The supported research that suggests seating arrangements and class instruction correlate in terms of academic and behavioral performance was something I find truly valuable as an aspiring educator. Before creating this artifact I never really considered how important the class arrangement was and had not really put too much thought into it. I also learned that seating arrangements are more than just for the instructor, but they are also for the benefit of the students; the classroom is a shared space and the students have every right to feel comfortable and at home in your classroom. I hope to learn more seating arrangements that are proven to work and be effective in the classroom, as well as find success with the intended seating arrangements I have recommended above.