Job Discussion Forums

[gaijinalways]

I am currently using a seating chart in only one class, but I am considering using one in every class next semester. I will later detail the reasons why I might choose to do so, but I was wondering how many of you use one and for how many classes do you do it? And why do you use it versus just letting students sit wherever they choose?

Please remember that I teach university students in Japan , though I would be interested to hear from other teachers as well .

[dmb]

What do you mean by a seating chart. I always let students wander into class and sit where they want. However, when doing p/w or g/w I'll put them where I think is more beneficial for the students.(subtle and what looks random)

[Sweetsee]

All my high school classes have their own seating charts. I tweak it if the need arises.

[ls650]

My students are adults and I treat them as such: they can sit wherever they feel like. I will, however, often create pairs or groups of students with people other than their usual neighbours simply to break up the normal routine.

[Jizzo T. Clown]

I said "sometimes" because I have mixed nationalities in my classes, and if need be I'll put an oddball or two in each group so they're forced to speak English!

[White_Elephant]

You didn't include "never" in your poll. I never use a seating chart in my classes. It wouldn't serve any purpose in doing so. Generally, my students always sit in the same seats they chose on the first day of class. It doesn't matter anyway. I have my students fill out a separate attendance sheet in every class. They fold the paper in half and write their English nicknames on the front. This must be kept in front of them, on the desks and at all times. I will call on students sometimes in class using their English nicknames. I also use those attendance sheets to award participation points, extra credit, make notes etc. Sometimes I will kick students out of class for falling asleep, something I will NOT tolerate. If I catch them, I take the attendance sheet away and mark "absent." Attendance and participation are worth 20 percent of their grade. I've kicked out a few students this year and it sets an example for the rest of the class. Most of my classes consist of about 35 students of which about 75% are very difficult to teach because they have zero interest in learning English. I could make up a seating chart and these students would waste so much class-time trying to change it and acting like they don't understand or just plain refusing to cooperate.

[Jetgirly]

I've only done it a handful of times to prevent two non-communicators from sitting beside each other for pair work, or when I know that a strong student could really help out a weak student if they worked together briefly. When I anticipate something like that happening, I will normally make placecards and put them in their seats for that day/activity. When my mission is accomplished the students can go back to their normal seats. I'm now student-teaching 7-12 LA in Canada and I debate this issue all the time. Most teachers do use seating plants all the time, but I don't like the idea of "controlling" my students any more than is absolutely necessary.

[Glenski]

How does one actually vote? There doesn't seem to be anything active to click on.

In eikaiwa I used a seating chart.
In high school it was better if I did just because of the class size.
In university it helps because of class size, too, and it provides a record of absences if nothing else. Good for accountability.

[Sherri]

I don't need to use a seating chart because my classes are small and I can remember everyone's names. I usually move the students around at least 2 or 3 times in every class depending on the activity, so they never stay in the same seat for very long though they may have a home base. I keep track of who I call on though and sometimes I make a seating chart just for that moment, so that I can keep an even count.

Sherri

[Glenski]

[gaijinalways]

Mods,
What happened to the 'never' choice? And the voting link (I haven't voted myself yet)?

WE,
I have used name cards in some classes in the past, but I don't currently. They are helpful at times, I may do that as well, though some schools I teach at have very small desktops.



I am thinking about going to seating charts because;

Pluses

I have larger classes and about 300 plus students a term (all classes)

I am poor at remembering names, makes it easier for me .

Saves time to take attendance.

Makes it easier to write student comments (I am using a new seating chart for each week).

Makes it easier to call on specific students (for questions, etc.).

Makes it easier to pass completed and corrected homework, tests, classwork, etc. back to students.

Drawbacks

Forces students to stay in one area of the classroom, may cause some resentment.

Might make group and pair making less random (as students always sit in the same area, and if you decide to group people near each other in most activities to save time).

May cause friction between people who dislike each other, but are forced to sit near each other.

Of course, a little more paperwork .

[Sherri]

[gaijinalways]

Sometimes for class relations, it is better not to let them sit near their friends. To be honest though, some people who are talkative would talk to the corner if you put them there (uh, wait, I didn't mean myself.. ) !

[gaijinalways]

Mods, could you addd 'never' to the poll please, I could have sworn I added it originally, but it is not on there.

[Sherri]