Teacher Student Desk Arrangement
Position Teacher's and Students’ Desks for Optimal Learning
How to position the teacher's and students desk for optimal learning by applying the principles of Feng Shui.
Feng Shui, the ancient art of placement is an option for teachers to design their classroom. Feng Shui believes their is a power position in every environment, big or small. It is best for the teacher to have the power position for effective classroom management.
Teachers must have control of the class from the first day of school for a successful year for the teacher and the students. Locating the power position is used often in business meetings. Donald Trump always had the power position in his reality show. The power position is the furthest corner from the door with your back to a wall. Feng Shui philosophy believes there are certain factors to create a power position in any environment.
Power Position for Teachers
The teacher should never have her back to the students. While teaching a class and using the blackboard, try to minimize the amount of time with your back to the class. Overheads are becoming popular, and with this instructional tool, the teacher will not have their back to the students.
The teacher instructions should be given where they can see the door of the classroom and all students. It is not ideal for teachers to wander up and down the aisles while giving instructions because the students who are behind the teacher become distracted and zone out.
The teacher’s desk should be located in the furthest corner from the door. This position gives the teacher an excellent view of the class and when guests are entering the classroom.
The teacher should support her back as often as possible. The teacher has greater control when a solid wall is behind them. No students are able to come up from behind, making the teacher lose their train of thought with other students or guests in the classroom.
The teacher when outside of the classroom should follow the same guidelines. The teacher should be supported at all times and be in a position for them to see all the students and the entry ways into each room.
Special Tip: Teacher/Principal Evaluation
The teacher should position his chair for it to be supported by a solid wall to give support during the evaluation. The chair can always be moved slightly to be in a more auspicious direction.
Classroom Seating Arrangement
The placement of your students in the classroom is one of many contributing factors for their academic success. Often students become discouraged in the classroom based on their seating arrangement. Students also need their back supported but often they are not because of lack of space. Try and place disruptive students with their back against a wall. As well, give enough space around the desks for easier movement of the students and teacher in the class. A student who is constantly being hit as students pass by will become frustrated and less time will be spent on their work.
On the first day of school, have the desks at the back of the classroom, and allow students to position their own desk. Often students’ intuition will lead them to the best area in the classroom for their learning. Set ground rules of the areas where there desks can be located and the expected behaviour for their chosen seat.
