<p>The features that should guide your classroom layout are <em>visibility</em>, <em>accessibility</em>, and <em>distractibility</em> — maximizing the first two, and minimizing the third.</p>

<p><strong>Visibility</strong> is simple: every student should be able to face forward easily with unobstructed view, and I should be able to see every student's face.</p>

<p><strong>Accessibility</strong>, here, means that I should be able to get to every student quickly, and that students should be able to work with each other when I assign pair-programming tasks or ask them to discuss a question with neighbors.</p>

<p>Those first two considerations already rule out front- or rear-facing rows, and some cluster arrangements as well.</p>

<p>Regarding <strong>distractibility</strong>: From years of teaching and observing other teachers, I take as an axiom that lecturing to students who are looking at computer screens is an effectively pure waste of time. This has corollaries:</p>

<ul>
<li>Screens should be less than about 120° from facing the front of the room — ruling out rear-facing screens.</li>
<li>Lectures should be short and focused.</li>
</ul>

<p>At this point I should give some context about my classes:</p>

<ul>
<li>The first cue I teach the students is "screens off!", and I say this whenever I need to address the class as a whole. (If I'm interrupting work, I first give an advance warning so they can find a stopping point and save their work.)</li>
<li>I ask students to bring a notepad and writing tools, for drawing or taking notes while their monitor is off.</li>
<li>I aim to limit lecture time to ten-minute chunks at most, punctuated with pair discussions.</li>
</ul>

<p>Because I have the students turn off their monitors, my lectures must require either no handwritten note-taking, or minimal note-taking (which then requires me to give some explicit instruction on how to take notes).</p>

<p>Now, I have taught in labs with traditional rows (students facing forward, monitors back), clusters, and variations on the "inverted U" design you're talking about. Currently my lab is set up with student workstations all along the left and right walls, so that <strong>students are all facing the wall while working, and the computers are all facing inwards</strong> — very much like the last option you described, only without a central island (because the room is too small for one). <strong>This is my preferred layout.</strong></p>

<p>So, I would endorse the last option you suggested, of computers along the side walls, with an optional cluster of side-facing machines in the center of the room.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-19T02:21:54.630Z
Excellent post, and welcome to CSE. *I take as an axiom that lecturing to students who are looking at computer screens is an effectively pure waste of time.* That really drove the point home for me. Next year, [I will require note-taking by hand](https://cseducators.stackexchange.com/questions/327/note-taking-policy-laptops-or-by-hand). I hope we hear more from you!
Ben I.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-19T00:41:29.597Z
2017-06-19T00:41:29.597Z
Jordan Johnson
<p>A modification to the traditional classroom arrangement that is relatively simple is to replace the straight tables with half hexagon tables.</p>

<p>Place them so that the center seat is facing the front of the room and the other two seats will only need to pivot 60 degrees from their screens to see the front. The students will still be able to look at other screens, but not without being obvious about it. It naturally groups the students into teams of three for when you have team-based assignments. </p>

<p>You can have a pair of mirrors installed in the two rear cournes near the ceiling. In the mirrors you will be able to see basically what they have on their screens. Reading it, or even knowing for sure what it is won't be possible, however, you will be able to tell if it's what should be there. Games and videos will have a totally different look from an IDE, for example.</p>

<p>Set the tables into a normal <em>rank and file</em> arrangement with a gap between each column that allows you to walk between the students when seated. (The gap with students in their chairs will be less than it looks like with empty seats.) In this arrangement you can get to any student's station to assist them when needed. In addition, because of the geometry of the half hex layout, the gap between neighboring students is increased, allowing more room for you to reach the table top without disturbing either student.</p>

<p>Half hexagon tables are available in some different set ups. You can use the standard, non-computer style that may even be in storage already. I've found some online that are designed, nominally, for computer use, and a bit larger to accomodate the keyboard and monitor space requirements better. I've also found one that's designed completly for computer workstations, including a keyboard tray and a cage for the tower. (Links at the end.).</p>

<p>Not knowing the constraints of the classroom itself, I can only give a sample layout. Allowing for 36 students, you could arrange the room similar to this.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/9edoq.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/9edoqm.png" alt="Room arrangement"></a></p>

<p>A few desks I've found online.</p>

<p>Fairly basic version, with enough room for standard keyboard and monitor:<br>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Kl1MW.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Kl1MWt.jpg" alt="Basic table"></a><br>
<sup>From <a href="http://www.k-log.com/product-swc-000" rel="nofollow noreferrer">K-Log</a></sup></p>

<p>Similar version, sculped to enhance the feeling of "my" space.:<br>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/1csM4.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/1csM4t.jpg" alt="Sculpted table"></a><br>
<sup>From <a href="http://www.k-log.com/product-pmw-3b" rel="nofollow noreferrer">K-Log</a></sup></p>

<p>Basic version slightly Modified to have a notch that makes pole-drops fit better:<br>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/UdZIq.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/UdZIqt.jpg" alt="Pole notched"></a><br>
<sup>From <a href="https://www.worthingtondirect.com/computer-furniture/24580-40-x-80-x-2232h-cluster-work-center.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Worthington Direct</a></sup></p>

<p>Full-blown computer lab desks, including keyboard trays and CPU cages:<br>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/zTcuB.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/zTcuBt.jpg" alt="Light version"></a><br>
<sup>From <a href="http://www.k-log.com/product-paw-3b" rel="nofollow noreferrer">K-Log</a></sup></p>

<p>And a personal favorite:<br>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/mQIHQ.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/mQIHQt.jpg" alt="My Pick"></a><br>
<sup>From <a href="https://www.worthingtondirect.com/computer-furniture/1500b-46dx96wx2731h-charcoal-three-station-unit-w-black-legs.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Worthington Direct</a></sup></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-18T23:23:40.350Z
2017-06-18T23:23:40.350Z
Gypsy Spellweaver
<p>You may address your primary concern with the privacy filters (as low as $7.99 apiece) without changing the layout at all.</p>

<p>If the school director gave you not only an opportunity, but a budget as well, I'd recommend to invest it in good chairs. An ability to adjust height is immensely important.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-03-11T10:45:09.353Z
+2 for the chair advice. -1 for the filters. This will make it easier for students to do the wrong thing, and not be noticed. This is a classroom, not a public computer room.
ctrl-alt-delor
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-19T00:00:34.497Z
2017-06-19T00:00:34.497Z
user58697
<p>My school director has given me the opportunity to redesign the layout of our school's IT lab to better suit my classes.  Currently the computers are in the "inverted U" layout listed <a href="http://www.brighthub.com/computing/hardware/articles/52714.aspx" rel="noreferrer">here</a> so that I can monitor students' monitors but not their faces.</p>

<p>I find that this makes classroom management difficult (I teach grades 6-9).  Students frequently get distracted by what is on their neighbors' computers, and every student can see every other student's monitor without much effort.  It also makes individual work like quizzes/exams basically impossible.  If I have to make an announcement I am making it to the backs of students' heads.  Students have to turn their whole chairs around (we don't have office chairs) to pay attention to a lesson, which means they can't comfortably take notes on what I am saying or what I write on the board.</p>

<p>I'm currently debating with myself between three layouts:</p>

<ul>
<li>computers in clusters of four (the four-leaf clover layout from the link above)</li>
<li>computers in rows such that students face the front of the room and monitors face the back, like <a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/e1/8e/e7/e18ee70a616a922eb9539d831e75c638.jpg" rel="noreferrer">this</a> (I would then teach from the front, and when students had work time I would move to the back to monitor the screens)</li>
<li>computers in four rows: one row against each side wall (students facing the walls), two rows together in a center island (students facing each other), such that I would have an oblique view of the monitors from the front of the room and students would have to rotate about 90 degrees to face forward.</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-18T17:07:55.643Z
I know someone who will probably have a lot of insight about this issue - I will next see them on Monday the 3rd, so I can ask them about it and post at that point
Ben I.
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-26T16:55:45.397Z
By the way, I ended up going with the last option, and have been happy with it.
Neal Zupancic
<classroom-management><classroom-environment>
What is the best layout for a Middle School computer lab?
# What is the best layout for a Middle School computer lab?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-06-18)

My school director has given me the opportunity to redesign the layout of our school's IT lab to better suit my classes. Currently the computers are in the "inverted U" layout listed [here](http://www.brighthub.com/computing/hardware/articles/52714.aspx) so that I can monitor students' monitors but not their faces.

I find that this makes classroom management difficult (I teach grades 6-9). Students frequently get distracted by what is on their neighbors' computers, and every student can see every other student's monitor without much effort. It also makes individual work like quizzes/exams basically impossible. If I have to make an announcement I am making it to the backs of students' heads. Students have to turn their whole chairs around (we don't have office chairs) to pay attention to a lesson, which means they can't comfortably take notes on what I am saying or what I write on the board.

I'm currently debating with myself between three layouts:

* computers in clusters of four (the four-leaf clover layout from the link above)
* computers in rows such that students face the front of the room and monitors face the back, like [this](https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/e1/8e/e7/e18ee70a616a922eb9539d831e75c638.jpg) (I would then teach from the front, and when students had work time I would move to the back to monitor the screens)
* computers in four rows: one row against each side wall (students facing the walls), two rows together in a center island (students facing each other), such that I would have an oblique view of the monitors from the front of the room and students would have to rotate about 90 degrees to face forward.

**Tags:** classroom-management, classroom-environment

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I know someone who will probably have a lot of insight about this issue - I will next see them on Monday the 3rd, so I can ask them about it and post at that point  
> **username_0**: By the way, I ended up going with the last option, and have been happy with it.  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-06-19. Score: 5

The features that should guide your classroom layout are *visibility*, *accessibility*, and *distractibility* — maximizing the first two, and minimizing the third.

**Visibility** is simple: every student should be able to face forward easily with unobstructed view, and I should be able to see every student's face.

**Accessibility**, here, means that I should be able to get to every student quickly, and that students should be able to work with each other when I assign pair-programming tasks or ask them to discuss a question with neighbors.

Those first two considerations already rule out front- or rear-facing rows, and some cluster arrangements as well.

Regarding **distractibility**: From years of teaching and observing other teachers, I take as an axiom that lecturing to students who are looking at computer screens is an effectively pure waste of time. This has corollaries:

* Screens should be less than about 120° from facing the front of the room — ruling out rear-facing screens.
* Lectures should be short and focused.

At this point I should give some context about my classes:

* The first cue I teach the students is "screens off!", and I say this whenever I need to address the class as a whole. (If I'm interrupting work, I first give an advance warning so they can find a stopping point and save their work.)
* I ask students to bring a notepad and writing tools, for drawing or taking notes while their monitor is off.
* I aim to limit lecture time to ten-minute chunks at most, punctuated with pair discussions.

Because I have the students turn off their monitors, my lectures must require either no handwritten note-taking, or minimal note-taking (which then requires me to give some explicit instruction on how to take notes).

Now, I have taught in labs with traditional rows (students facing forward, monitors back), clusters, and variations on the "inverted U" design you're talking about. Currently my lab is set up with student workstations all along the left and right walls, so that **students are all facing the wall while working, and the computers are all facing inwards** — very much like the last option you described, only without a central island (because the room is too small for one). **This is my preferred layout.**

So, I would endorse the last option you suggested, of computers along the side walls, with an optional cluster of side-facing machines in the center of the room.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Excellent post, and welcome to CSE. *I take as an axiom that lecturing to students who are looking at computer screens is an effectively pure waste of time.* That really drove the point home for me. Next year, [I will require note-taking by hand](https://cseducators.stackexchange.com/questions/327/note-taking-policy-laptops-or-by-hand). I hope we hear more from you!  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-06-18. Score: 4

A modification to the traditional classroom arrangement that is relatively simple is to replace the straight tables with half hexagon tables.

Place them so that the center seat is facing the front of the room and the other two seats will only need to pivot 60 degrees from their screens to see the front. The students will still be able to look at other screens, but not without being obvious about it. It naturally groups the students into teams of three for when you have team-based assignments.

You can have a pair of mirrors installed in the two rear cournes near the ceiling. In the mirrors you will be able to see basically what they have on their screens. Reading it, or even knowing for sure what it is won't be possible, however, you will be able to tell if it's what should be there. Games and videos will have a totally different look from an IDE, for example.

Set the tables into a normal *rank and file* arrangement with a gap between each column that allows you to walk between the students when seated. (The gap with students in their chairs will be less than it looks like with empty seats.) In this arrangement you can get to any student's station to assist them when needed. In addition, because of the geometry of the half hex layout, the gap between neighboring students is increased, allowing more room for you to reach the table top without disturbing either student.

Half hexagon tables are available in some different set ups. You can use the standard, non-computer style that may even be in storage already. I've found some online that are designed, nominally, for computer use, and a bit larger to accomodate the keyboard and monitor space requirements better. I've also found one that's designed completly for computer workstations, including a keyboard tray and a cage for the tower. (Links at the end.).

Not knowing the constraints of the classroom itself, I can only give a sample layout. Allowing for 36 students, you could arrange the room similar to this.

[![Room arrangement](https://i.sstatic.net/9edoqm.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/9edoq.png)

A few desks I've found online.

Fairly basic version, with enough room for standard keyboard and monitor:  
[![Basic table](https://i.sstatic.net/Kl1MWt.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/Kl1MW.jpg)  
From [K-Log](http://www.k-log.com/product-swc-000)

Similar version, sculped to enhance the feeling of "my" space.:  
[![Sculpted table](https://i.sstatic.net/1csM4t.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/1csM4.jpg)  
From [K-Log](http://www.k-log.com/product-pmw-3b)

Basic version slightly Modified to have a notch that makes pole-drops fit better:  
[![Pole notched](https://i.sstatic.net/UdZIqt.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/UdZIq.jpg)  
From [Worthington Direct](https://www.worthingtondirect.com/computer-furniture/24580-40-x-80-x-2232h-cluster-work-center.htm)

Full-blown computer lab desks, including keyboard trays and CPU cages:  
[![Light version](https://i.sstatic.net/zTcuBt.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/zTcuB.jpg)  
From [K-Log](http://www.k-log.com/product-paw-3b)

And a personal favorite:  
[![My Pick](https://i.sstatic.net/mQIHQt.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/mQIHQ.jpg)  
From [Worthington Direct](https://www.worthingtondirect.com/computer-furniture/1500b-46dx96wx2731h-charcoal-three-station-unit-w-black-legs.htm)


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2017-06-19. Score: 3

You may address your primary concern with the privacy filters (as low as $7.99 apiece) without changing the layout at all.

If the school director gave you not only an opportunity, but a budget as well, I'd recommend to invest it in good chairs. An ability to adjust height is immensely important.

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: +2 for the chair advice. -1 for the filters. This will make it easier for students to do the wrong thing, and not be noticed. This is a classroom, not a public computer room.  

---

