Traditional
In the traditional classroom set-up, students sit in rows and the teacher stands in front of the class. This set-up is best used when the teacher is speaking, and students are mainly listening and taking notes. All students can see the teacher and the slides clearly and have plenty of space to take notes. This set-up also works well to discuss a question or topic in groups of two.
Debate
In a debate, two groups of students defend the opposite position of a proposition. Usually, the students have already prepared their arguments. To best carry out this learning activity, the students debating, sit at the front of the class and all the other students can see them clearly. Debating skills are becoming increasingly important at university. Students can use slides to support their arguments. With these skills, students are better prepared for active citizenship and social cohesion. They discuss fundamental elements of democracy together, such as freedom of expression and dealing with differences.
Discussion
Classroom discussion is a learning activity in which the teacher and students share views on a specific topic that was previously lectured. Promoting and facilitating classroom discussions can not only help students learn from one another, but also help students understand and retain the lecture better. A classroom set-up in which every student can see each other promotes discussion in which every student can participate equally well.
Groups
In group work, students collaborate on a task. Working together is a crucial aspect. By working together, students learn to cooperate and communicate. They grow cognitively, for instance by actively listening to and thinking with fellow students, critically reflecting on their own insights, uncovering misconceptions, clearing up confusion, exposing conflicting statements, and summarizing and explaining topics in their own words. A classroom set-up where students sit in small groups facing each other promotes collaboration best.
Speed dating
Have students rotate through the classroom, so they can share insights on a question, topic or pitch with a different student. Have students switch partners every few minutes. This learning activity improves students' speaking skills, they gain new perspectives, it results in high levels of student engagement and retention, and it has a low threshold to participate. The best classroom set-up for this activity is to remove half of the tables and move all the chairs to the sides, and to have high tables in the middle of the classroom. Students can stand and face each other at a table, and they can switch easily to the next partner.
U-shape
The U-shape is useful when you want to switch between learning activities, but you don’t have the time or the appropriate furniture to easily change the set-up. The teacher is visible for all students in front of the class, you can have a classroom discussion and students can work together in pairs of two. It’s not the optimal set-up for these learning activities, but it definitely works.
Circle
The circle is a good set-up for introduction activities and when discussing difficult topics. As students sit in a circle without a table, they can do nothing but listen and participate in the conversation. Phones, laptops and other items are too conspicuous to use. In a circle discussion students open up to the other person, it fosters a team feeling, and it promotes inclusive thinking.
Poster presentation
During poster presentations, students present their academic research by presenting their poster with short pitch. Afterwards, the audience walks around and asks questions to the presenters. This requires a class set-up where tables are not in the way, it is easy to walk around, and all posters and presenters are easy to see. From poster presentations, students learn to do research, they internalize the research topic better, they learn to present and defend their research, and they receive structured feedback from fellow students and teachers.