In a successful interactive classroom, students, instructors, furniture, and other classroom features are physically arranged to support desired activities. What are some of the features of the classroom arrangement called a "board meeting"?
July 2, 2018
What did you notice in this episode? Talk to your partners about what you saw.
The students are sitting in a large circle. What message does that send about participation in the discussion?
Where does the instructor stand? (There are a few different places.) What message does each of his positions send about participation in the discussion?
How are the white boards arranged? What is good about this arrangement? Is there anything bad about it?
This classroom also includes small group work at lab tables accommodating 4-5 students. Where are the tables? What is the floor plan of this classroom?
What dynamics do you observe among the students who participate in the discussion? What features of the classroom arrangement would you say support those dynamics?
How should instructors set up a classroom to support a “board meeting,” as suggested by this episode?