Classroom+layout+and+seating+arrangement

In any classroom there will always be students with varying learning styles, individual differences and needs, as well as mixed abilities. These can be catered for by firstly knowing your students and arranging classroom layout to meet their individual needs. For example, there must be enough physical space around the classroom and between the desks for students with wheelchairs to maneuver.
 * __Classroom Layout and Seating Structure __**

There are also a range of general factors that must be considered, including:
 * The seating position of the students.
 * What types of work stations will be present in the classroom.
 * How accessible these are to all students.

These can be seen in Perser’s ‘Class Tour’ video (2010), which demonstrates ways to create an effectively planned primary classroom layout and seating arrangement (see video).

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Regularly monitoring students’ relationships as well as the dynamics of the class may also optimise seating arrangements and create a positive classroom environment. It’s important to pre-plan for students who will work well near each other and those that will not, as the initial classroom layout can successfully manage behaviour (Gujarati, 2011). However, it’s also important to consider the placement of students based on their individual needs and requirements.

For example:
 * Students with ADHD should be seated away from doors, windows and high-traffic areas to decrease distractibility.
 * Students with Autism or Aspergers could be seated near students that have high social skills to encourage them to mirror these behaviours.
 * Students with poor vision or hearing may need to be seated closer to the front of the classroom to see the board or to hear instructions more clearly.
 * Students may also need to be in close proximity to the teacher (to be easily assisted or so that behaviour can be monitored).

There are an abundance of layouts that can be used, including rows, small or large groups of desks, and horse shoe structures. However, regardless of what layout is chosen it is fundamental that the room is arranged so that the teacher can make eye contact with every student and reach them all with ease (Baird, 2011; as cited in Scholastic, 2011). Before selecting a layout teachers’ must also reflect on its intended purpose. Many primary school classrooms are arranged in groups of tables as opposed to the rows of desks commonly found in secondary schools (Foreman, 2008). This allows students to be taught in a variety of ways: as individuals, in pairs (either with the person next to or opposite them), in both small and large groups, and as an entire class; often without leaving their desks. This table arrangement may be particularly useful with special needs students as it:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Encourages lively discussions.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Promote cooperation and sharing.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Encourages collaborative teamwork in classrooms.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Promotes social inclusion and the development of social skills.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Encourages students to work together and learn from one another.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Can build peer relationships.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Enables students to transition between tasks more efficiently and minimise disruptions (i.e. changing grouping structures).

**__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">References __**
 * Foreman (2008). //Inclusion in action: second edition//. Centage Learning, Melbourne, Victoria.
 * Gujarati, J. (2011). Classroom Layout: Setting the stage for management. //New Teacher Advocate//, 18 (4), 10-11. Retrieved from http://www.kdp.org/publications/nta/pdf/summer11/NTA_Sm_2011_Gujarati.pdf
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Purser, S. (2010). Class Tour [Video file]. Retrieved from []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Scholastic (2011). Classroom Organization: The Physical Environment. Retrieved from []