Something Mr. Elbaum said in Gov really got me thinking. He said that soon the administration will be mandating that all classrooms are arranged in pods or groups. Elbaum was trying to give us an example about selective integration but it got me thinking, do we really work better in groups? Like, do the people we're sitting with really affect us that much? And why do we only sit in pods in math? But partners in science classes, and rows in social studies and english?
I've experienced, at least in my math class, that the people I sit with definitely affect my way of working in class. Some students are lazy and tend to goof off in class and really not pay attention, sitting with one of these students, I find myself following suit as if they're lack of effort is rubbing off on me. While sometimes sitting with someone new or someone I might be trying to impress might subconsiously make me try harder and pay more attention to the lesson.
But why is that in English class or social studes we sit in rows? Wouldn't it be helpful to be able to discuss the lecture with a few other students? I guess it has to do witht he structure of the class and that there really isn't too much group work.
This seating arrangement goes deeper than just in the classroom, I think that people act differently based on the people they're with. Sometimes I'm obnoxious and loud, sometimes more quiet and laid back, it really depends on the mooods of the people around you. It seems like who we sit with or spend time with affect us more than we may originally think.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Pods vs. Rows
Posted by Stu at 6:52:00 PM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
so true. if the people in your group are acting a certain way, it'll affect your performance based on who you're with, especially if it's a closer friend compared to the other people int he group.
I absolutely agree with your blog, but there are very logical reasons for the desks being the way they are. I know that for a scholarship essay I had to write about how I would influence my students to be the best people they could be (I'm maajoring in elementary ed) and I said that I would influence them to become great leaders and communicators, starting in teh classroom by having their desks in groups. By exposing students of all ages to working with students of different work ethics and ability levels, it is a building experience for the students to learn how to work together regardless. Though in high school, you may be less motivated to learn or try to agree with your partners. Thus, the reason why im going into elementary ed :)
I had this exact conversation with elbaum also. It can have both positive affects and negative affects. But in all seriousness, i think that the true reason behind this is so that it will lead to more learning, therefore keeping our school looking as one of the tops nation schools. Its the truth all the school wants is to boost its grades. but I also agree with you on another point. Why not have groups in english class. It would be more beneficial to talk amongst three other people and have all four voices heard rather than the teacher calling on the same 5 students throughout the class.
Stu,
Normally I would like to see you show more understanding of sociology in your post - like demonstrating some sociological idea or term. But, you hit on an important sociology idea without realizing it! This is called microsociology. It is the study of how people interact in smaller groups - like a classroom. I will go over this in our lesson on monday!
Post a Comment