Good for: Teacher-centered activities Lecture Pair work Movement to back of room Whole-class discussion Demonstrations
Disadvantages: Group work more difficult Student-centered discussion more difficult Easier for students to lose focus
Pods (32)
Good for: Group work Project-based learning Competition & games Small group discussion
Disadvantages: Lecture more difficult Students cannot see some students Some students facing away from board/projector
Pods (24)
Good for: Group work Project-based learning Competition & games Small group discussion
Disadvantages: Lecture more difficult Students cannot see some students Some students facing away from board/projector
Horseshoe (30)
Good for: Lecture Demonstrations Teacher-centered activities Pair work Proximity to students Whole-class discussion
Disadvantages: Group work more difficult Student-centered discussion more difficult Easier for students to lose focus
Horseshoe Open (28)
Good for: Lecture Demonstrations Teacher-centered activities Pair work Proximity to students Whole-class discussion
Disadvantages: Group work more difficult Student-centered discussion more difficult Easier for students to lose focus
Four Horseshoes (24)
Good for: Mix of lecture & small group discussion Project-based learning Team-based learning Helping students get to know each other Encouraging student interaction
Disadvantages: Lecture a little more difficult than full horseshoe Students cannot see some students
Conference Tables (24)
Good for: Large group discussion Debate Large group teaching presentations Sharing information Large group work/projects
Disadvantages: Separates half of the class Instructor can only monitor/participate in one group at a time Lecture more difficult Small group work more difficult
Debate Stadium (24)
Good for: Debate Whole-class discussion Evaluating opposing views
Disadvantages: Lecture is more difficult Students facing away from board/projector
T-Groups (24)
Good for: Group work Project-based learning Competition & games Small group discussion
Disadvantages: Lecture slightly more difficult Groups are separated
T-Groups Active (24)
Good for: Group work Active learning incorporating movement Project-based learning Competition & games Small group discussion Group presentations Use of side projectors/whiteboards
Disadvantages: May make it harder to see front board/projector
L-Groups (24)
Good for: Mix of lecture & small group discussion Pair work Project-based learning Team-based learning Helping students get to know each other Encouraging student interaction
Disadvantages: Lecture a little more difficult than full horseshoe Students cannot see some students
L-Groups & Pods (24)
Good for: Mix of lecture & small group discussion Pair work Project-based learning Team-based learning Helping students get to know each other Encouraging student interaction
Disadvantages: Lecture a little more difficult than full horseshoe Students cannot see some students