Classroom Layout and Suggestions:

The way classrooms are laid out is paramount to successful integration of technology into your classroom. Here are suggestions that have proven themselves successful in hundreds of classrooms. It is important that your room be inviting and appropriate for your grade level and student population.

• Spread computers around the perimeter of the room. This saves on wireing costs. Makes rearranging of room easier.
• Allow room for groups to work around each computer.
• All monitors (except the teachers station) should face the center of the room. When every monitor is visible unwanted activities are less likely to occur.

This is a diagram of a classroom with nine computers. It contains 32 student desks, a teachers desk and teachers computer. Use small tables for the computers. The desks are shown in the computer activity position. Students can move their desks to the computers and then move the keyboard and mouse to their desks. Usually teachers have at least two desk arrangements with this type of furniture. One, as shown with desks at the computers. The other arrangement can be in rows for lectures and presentations. Practice with your students changing arrangements This will ensure minimum time is spent changing desk arrangements Most class can change seating configurations in less then 30 seconds.

Many Classrooms have student tables. The same basic layout is very useable. Two student desks are placed back to back and the computer is placed on a small table next to the wall or directly on the wall end of the student tables.

Audrey Criss or Warren Dale