Tom Sherrington: 'The Timeless Wisdom of Sitting in Rows'

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Debbie_Hepplewhite
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Tom Sherrington: 'The Timeless Wisdom of Sitting in Rows'

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https://teacherhead.com/2018/01/31/the- ... g-in-rows/
The Timeless Wisdom of Sitting in Rows

POSTED BY TOM SHERRINGTON ⋅ JANUARY 31, 2018

Some of the strangest debates or memes about education that pop up now and then are about the idea of students sitting in rows. You don’t have to look too far to find people aligning this commonplace desk configuration along the axis of evil. Only recently I came across a tweet that mentioned children sitting in rows in a list of features of modern schooling that included compliant, submissive…. It’s just the weirdest thing. But it’s not uncommon. Sitting rows = factory schooling, 19th C, Gradgrindian, ‘Victorian’ – all intended as pejoratives.
I agree 100% with this post and constantly encourage teachers to organise their classes in this way when it is fit for purpose.

There is also research to show learning is more effective according to the class seating arrangements.

And if you want the main lesson interspersed with partner work or group work, it couldn't be easier.

For any group discussions, learners can simply turn their chairs around on every other row to face the learners on the row behind. Simple!
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