As adults, we are all too familiar with the concept of paying more for better views at sports stadiums or theatres. The best seats come at a premium, offering unobstructed views and a more engaging experience.
On the other hand, the cheaper seats often come with restricted views, where you might find yourself craning your neck or peering around obstacles to catch a glimpse of the action.
We accept this trade-off because we understand that the quality of our experience is directly linked to where we sit. But have you ever considered how this concept applies to your classroom?
In the hustle and bustle of daily teaching, it is easy to overlook the fact that the seating arrangement in your classroom can significantly impact your students' learning experiences.
Take a moment to think about your classroom layout. Where are the “cheap seats” and where are the “premium” seats? Which seats offer the best view of your interactive whiteboard or display screen?
Typically, the seats straight down the middle of the classroom will provide the clearest view, allowing students to engage directly with the content being presented. Conversely, those at the ends/corners of the front row might have a much narrower perspective, often requiring students to strain their eyes or adjust their posture to see the board. This disparity in viewing angles can lead to varying levels of engagement among your students.
Light, glare and reflections
To understand the seating dynamics in your classroom, it is wise to spend some time after school one day sitting in each seat to appreciate the varying experiences that your students may have. It is important to experience first-hand what it is like to view your display screen from different angles.
A key thing to consider while doing this is the visibility and clarity of your presentation slides from different seats. Sit in each seat with a slide displayed on your board and ask yourself if you can read the text clearly? You might be surprised at how sunlight through your classroom windows can cause significant glare and light patches on your screen.
If it is a bright day, some seats might have a completely restricted view at certain times, and you might be unaware of this unless you have taken the time to sit in those seats yourself. This is where effective use of your window blinds becomes crucial.
And remember that glare and visibility issues can change not only throughout the day but also across different seasons. The position of the sun varies with the time of year, which can affect how sunlight enters your classroom. During certain times of the year, the sun might be lower in the sky, causing more direct glare on your display screen.
Walk the room
When teaching, avoid the trap of only looking at your monitor when presenting slides. If you regularly talk to your students from behind or near to your desk, there is a temptation to look at your own screen and not the one on the wall.
The clarity of display on your monitor will always look fine, but that is not how your students see it. They view it on the big screen and often with more light pollution (especially if it is via a projector and not a television screen). Therefore, it is essential to walk around the classroom and view the slides from your students’ perspectives (which can be very different if you are stood up, as opposed to sitting down and viewing it at the angle that students are).
Light, glare and reflections will be very different at different angles and heights, so do not just assume that everything looks fine because you have walked the room. View the board from the same spot in the room, but sitting down as opposed to being stood up – you might be surprised as to how different the experience is.
Classroom furniture
Every classroom will be different depending on the size, shape, how many windows, which way it is facing and how the classroom seating is designed. Larger classrooms might have more seating options but also more potential for obstructed views. Smaller classrooms might have fewer seats but could still face issues with glare and visibility.
The arrangement of furniture, such as desks and tables, also plays a crucial role. For instance, classrooms with rows of desks might have a more straightforward seating hierarchy, while those with group tables might require more thoughtful planning to ensure all students have a fair view of the board.
In classrooms arranged in rows, the middle section usually offers the best views, while the sides, particularly the very front side seats, are less than ideal. This is due to the much narrower angle that those students are having to view the board from. This becomes worse, the wider your classroom is. Think about if you went to the cinema. You wouldn’t want to be sat a metre from the screen and right at the edge of the cinema.
In classrooms with group tables, consider the students who have to constantly turn around to face the board. Their experience is far from equitable compared to those already facing the board. Think about how uncomfortable it is to sit at a group table at a conference or wedding, constantly having to readjust your seat or twist your back to see the stage.
Therefore, if you have the space, consider not using the cheap seats that you have identified in your classroom. If certain seats offer the worst views or experiences, it might be best to leave them empty.
Seating plans
Once you’ve identified the cheap seats and the premium seats, it is then time to think about who sits where. Consider placing your Pupil Premium students in the better seats. Having them in the more accessible aisle seats not only provides them with the best view, but it also allows you to reach them quickly and check on them more frequently, providing more opportunities for informal feedback and guidance.
Conversely, seats that are harder to reach, like those at the far ends of rows and against the side walls, might be better suited for students who require less monitoring and support.
It is also worth considering how often you change your seating plan to potentially offer more equity. Can you consider rotating students throughout the year so that any one student is not always disadvantaged by being stuck in a cheap seat.
Final thoughts
The seating arrangements in your classroom play a crucial role in shaping your students' learning experiences. By carefully evaluating the experience that each seat delivers, you can identify which ones offer the best and worst views of your display screen, taking into account factors like glare from windows and the layout of desks.
Understanding these dynamics allows you to make informed decisions about your seating plan, ensuring that every student has an equitable opportunity to engage with the lesson.
Take action today: walk around your classroom, sit in each seat, and see the learning environment from your students' perspectives. This small tweak just might be the big difference you’re looking for.
- Jon Tait is an education author and speaker. He is executive director of education at the Northern Arch Learning Partnership. Visit www.edutait.com. You can find his previous articles and podcast appearances for SecEd via www.sec-ed.co.uk/authors/jon-tait