Learning is an extremely social process and the set-up of the classroom can have a large effect on fostering social interactions. Scholars such as Vygotsky and Gee have emphasized that learning is a process that goes hand in hand with social situations. We learn from what we see and hear.

Traditional secondary classrooms typically have desks lined up in rows. The rows ensure that students are facing the front and is seen as a way to help with classroom management.

Teachers are continuing to experience with seating charts and the trend is moving away from desks in rows and instead shifting to group/pod/team seating arrangements to allow students to engage with their peers during class to enhance their learning.

Some of the benefits that have been found through studies regarding small group seating have been:

• Classrooms become more 'student centered' than 'teacher centered'
• Students are able to ask their peers questions when there isn't time, or they may be uncomfortable asking the teacher
• Explaining and talking through material to peers reinforces the material for the student
• Fosters collaboration with peers - which helps with problem solving and critical thinking

Limitations of group seating are:

• All students aren't able to face the front
• Students can be easily distracted by their peers and side conversations can be more difficult to manage
• Space concerns as it may take up more room and make it harder for teacher to move around classroom

Although there isn't a one size fits all seating chart that is the best for all classrooms, it's exciting to see more teachers opt to try group seating that promote social engagement to enhance learning.

Sources:

https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/glenview/ct-gla-d225-learning-spaces-tl-1011-story.html

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11218-016-9353-y