Managing the Computing classroom environment to improve learning - A Practical Guide to Teaching Computing and ICT in the Secondary School - page 63

In rows

Figure 3.4 Computers in rows

The advantage of this layout is that all the pupils are facing towards the front of the
class. This is helpful when the teacher needs to undertake whole-class teaching.
Note that this classroom is equipped with a projector mounted on the ceiling and
everyone can see the screen without having to move.
The disadvantages are:

1 The teacher cannot see what everyone is doing unless he positions himself at

the back of the room, clearly a difficulty if teaching is carried out from the
front.

2 If the rows are too close it may be difficult for the teacher to circulate.

As islands

Figure 3.5 Computers in islands

This is a popular configuration in that it makes good use of the available space and
the teacher can circulate easily.
The drawback is that, as in the case of having the computers around the edge of
the room, some pupils will have their backs to the teacher. Note that this classroom
has sufficient space to have some computers around the edge as well, but, as can be
seen, the pupils have their backs to the front. For whole-class teaching, the class
must be asked to move or turn first.
When you get to your school look at the layout in the rooms you will teach in.
Think carefully about the following: