Banish the Graveyard: How Does Classroom Layout Affect Students’ Engagement?

Abstract

This chapter investigates the impact of classroom layout on children’s engagement within learning. A variety of classroom layouts within today’s educational environments, from traditional seats and rows to alternative layouts with variable seating options and without tables were investigated. I discussed with teachers their motivations for changes to traditional classroom layouts to interpret their reasoning for such change. Every classroom layout is unique, with teachers needing to contextualize multiple factors in order to create a layout that works for their own pedagogical style as well as the students’ preferred learning environment. Educators need to give careful consideration when deciding upon classroom layout so as to maximize potential engagement of student learning, which may mean looking beyond the traditional classroom layout.