The Impact of Classroom Configuration on Collaborative Learning

• In Event: Poster Session 1
  In Poster Session: Teaching and Learning Environments and Factors

Abstract

Research indicates that how tables and chairs are arranged in a classroom can influence the behavior and learning experiences of students. As research on learning technologies continues it is important to understand how introducing technology changes the classroom arrangement, and whether learning outcomes result from the use of the technology, or differences in the classroom itself. In this paper, we present data from six classes in two configurations of a multi-touch enabled classroom. Analysis indicates that the classroom configuration had little impact on the teachers’ behavior or length of tasks, however, students talked significantly more in a centered configuration, then a more traditional classroom configuration. Implications of the effect of the interaction of technology and classroom configuration are discussed.

Authors

• Emma M. Mercier, Durham University

• Steven Edward Higgins, Durham University