Classroom Layouts

[Gongalong]

Hi folks,

 

We are looking at computer classroom layouts as we’re having a room converted over.

 

We have always gone with benching and computers around the perimeter, and normal tables and chairs in the centre of the room. Good in terms of flexibility, but the rooms get very full.

 

We are looking at other options for this room e.g. rows of tables with computers on (which is a little easier to get power and network to), or pods (more difficult to get power and network to).

 

What do other schools have, and how have you found the layout from usage terms?

 

Thanks

[slugshead]

We've got three styles, all with pros and cons.

 

Style 1

 

Workbenches around the outside wall of classroom with regular tables without computers in the middle

 

Pros

 

Allows the room to be used flexibly for either computing work or non computing work

Easy to Network and power

Teacher can easily monitor what students are doing

 

Cons

 

Lots of chairs

Bit of a squeeze

Outside computer benches get used as a dumping around

Students have to turn around when using the computers to see the whiteboard

 

Style 2

 

Rows of computer desks facing the front of classroom

 

Pros

 

All computers are facing the whiteboard/projector so students can always follow instructions

Easy to network and power

 

Cons

 

IMO, looks messy

Teacher cannot easily monitor what students are doing

 

Style 3

 

Computers around outside of room and an "island" in the middle for more computers

 

Pros

 

Decent amount of computers in one room

Easy for teach to see most workstation screens

Easy to network and power (Assuming floorbox or riser available to central island)

 

Cons

 

Lack of space for non computing activities, often find keyboard thrown behind monitors

Most students need to turn around to see whiteboard

[DaveTheTech]

Our IT suites have 4 rows, with the two middle rows facing each other.Impero for monitoring what students are doing.

I find it very cramped, there is only just enough room if you need to get past wilst the students are there.

 

Data/Power in one of them is in a dado round the outside, the second has it un der the floor.

Terrible design, under the floor, almost impossible to serivce if the need arrives - but thats down to poor planning.

 

 

One of them is being renewed, PCs around the ouside, soft seating in the middle.

This is to make it into less of a computing room and allow it o be used for things like green screen, 'robotics' etc

We are also looking at splitting of the teaching pc to some screens around the edge of the room - this will help with student not being able to see the board, and possibly give the older students two screens to work with.

Edited April 27, 2022 by DaveTheTech

[3s-gtech]

My experiences:

 

Rows, all facing away from the teacher - disaster. Student productivity tends to be lower, you can't use the room for online exams, cramped, students can easily get to the back of each other's PC to pull the cables

 

Perimeter - easier for teacher to monitor, cables are concealed, use of space inefficient, open and easier access, easy to build

 

M or W (perimeter with a central column) - a hybrid layout - not bad to cable up, bit more cramped, very space efficient, harder for teacher to walk around, expensive desks down the middle

 

Island - expensive desks and cabling, difficult to secure PCs (but not impossible), easy access, nice open space, usable for exams, pillars/cable channels may be impossible

 

There's no right or wrong answer IMO (apart from rows, obviously) but it really depends on the room and use.