Whispering, talking, and giggling arises from the back row. The teacher whips his face around, and locks eyes with the disruptive students. “How about you gentlemen answer the question?” Mr. McClackel barks. “Or should I assign you different seats?” A sudden silence engulfs the room. All the students seated turn around to look at the trouble-makers, disappointment in their eyes. The “trouble-makers” cower under the harsh stares of their displeased peers in the terrible silence. This scenario is one we are all familiar with, prompting a reflexive question: is it truly the fault of the students? Amidst this familiar situation lies an often overlooked element - the arrangement and dynamic of the classroom itself. Although it may seem like the simple arrangement of any piece of furniture has no drastic impact, the very environment of a classroom affects the learning and engagement of a student, greatly. Transition needed, dDifferent types kinds of seating arrangements can positively and negatively impact student learning, focus, and collaboration. In that context, the impact of an open class environment with flex seating in grouped pods is the most optimal for student learning and engagement.

The common mindset in schools across America is to isolate students and prevent them from disrupting the class. Although seating arrangements such as rows are intended to keep students focused and respectful, these methods are now archaic and ineffective. However, classes with grouped pods and pliable seating allows students to learn and engage best. After a stroll through Brooklawn Middle School, it can be inferred that there was an even split between the classes with rows and grouped seating. Out of twelve classes observed, six classes had flexible seating versus and six who classes had rows. It was observed, the classes with grouped seating were more talkative and loud. However, these students were also engaging, participating, and interacting with different fun lessons, such as a Jeopardy game (Observations). Everyone likes places where they can get as comfortable as they do in their own home. At home, many people feel a sense of safety and comfort, and school should feel no different. There is no reason to make education feel tedious for students. Learning should be something all students can enjoy to ensure more students have a great work ethic and are prepared for the real world before adulthood. Additionally, one of the students interviewed claimed, “(I like this class) Because I sit with my friends and I have free choice,” (Interview). He/she also explained that, “I am most productive in grouped pods because I can communicate with others and share ideas” (Interview). Moreover, open classes would be a way of relieving stress and anxiety for students. Many students are oblivious to their own stress, and do not recognize the presence of anxiety in their life. A class where students can take a break and engage with their peers is a sanctuary for students, making it easier for these students to learn. Lastly, rowed classes discourage student engagement and feel isolated from others. In the classes observed at brooklawn, most classes did not allow students to talk, and they had to either read or do work on their chromebooks. Students’ whispers that were heard include, “This class is so boring. I hate this,” and “Can you help me with this question I don’t want to ask the teacher in case she yells at me” (Observations). Therefore, this demonstrates that classes with rowed seating shift the focus from interactive learning to a prison of completing assignments and taking notes, when instead, classes could be a way to learn new things in a comfortable and easy way.

Subsequently, flexible grouped seating is crucial for developing life skills and learning to live in the real world. In the article, “Top 10 Benefits of a Flexible-Seating Classroom,” an expert precisely states, “Outside the windows of our classroom is a dynamic, fast-paced, and ever-changing world full of choices. How can we expect our students to solve problems and make choices independently if we constantly solve their problems and make their choices for them?” (Smith). With the fast-paced world constantly changing, people have to be able to keep up. Children across the globe now will be the people running the world in a few years, and they should be taught in ways that will prepare them to have control over their lives and collaborate with others. In another article named, “Do Seating Arrangements Have an Impact on Student Learning,” it is revealed through research and studies that student education is deeply affected by the placement of their seats (Professional). The children in schools have only what they are taught as their guide for living in a big and scary world. To be educated properly is essential for all students, and they will only learn best when they have some form of freedom. A plethora of students become bored and misbehave when put in rows, which in turn, affects the teacher and their control of the class. Furthermore, these students may even affect the learning process for the rest of the students who will end up struggling to grasp the concepts. Lastly, the initial article also mentions, “The students we share our classrooms with don't know life without constant connectivity, Wi-Fi, and a global audience. Our classroom environments should be conducive to open collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking. This simply cannot be done when kids are sitting in rows of desks all day” (Smith). Thus, flexible seating encourages collaboration and helps develop creativity and critical thinking skills in students, allowing students to take in more of what they learn and put it to use.

With classroom seating being an overlooked element of learning in schools, it is crucial to choose the most benefiting seating arrangement - flex seating in group pods. There are a myriad of classroom seating arrangements that are most optimal for teachers, but it is necessary to understand the student’s point of view to encourage the best educational experience for them. In their point of view, the main task is to complete all the work without worrying about learning the topic. This mindset negatively impacts student work ethic and their mental health, as they are constantly having to worry about upcoming tests and their grades. As an educator, it is essential to utilize an open and friendly class environment where communication and social skills are developed through the position of seats rather than the need to worry about upcoming work. While adopting such methods may require a hint of patience, it is important to understand that we must create a sanctuary for student learning that is set on educating the students for what is next, as they are soon to be the future of this world. As a result, by reevaluating the classroom dynamic and providing a sense of choice and freedom for students, you should now influence the learning of a classroom to sound more like:

“How about you gentlemen answer the question?”

“Yes, Mr. McClackel, the answer is 1776.”

“Correct! Awesome job.”

Works Cited

Professional Learning Board. professionallearningboard.com/do-seating-arrangements-have-an-impact-on-student-learning/.

Smith System. smithsystem.com/smithfiles/top-10-benefits-flexible-seating-classroom/#:~:text=Traditional%20desks%20can%20make%20students,and%20with%20different%20seating%20options.