How to Set up Your Classroom to Improve Your Teaching

In this post we will look at how to set up your classroom to improve your teaching.  Why is this important?  Because the environment of the classroom, including how the room is arranged, has a major impact on learning.  A good teacher is equally concerned about the content of their lesson as well as the environment of the classroom.

Here are some ideas that you can use to make sure that your classroom is assisting you in teaching your students.

1. I would encourage you to vary the ways that the chairs are set up in the room. Let the set up assist you in your teaching.  The ideal set up is a semi-circle but some times it may be needed to arrange the chairs in rows for lecture or in small groups of circles to encourage discussion or an activity.
2. Another important point to remember is to always make sure that the entrance door to the classroom is always at the rear of the classroom. This is to reduce the possibility of a disturbance from those arriving late or from the activities in the hallway.
3. Because of the influence of technology, most people today are visual learners or their learning is enhanced through visuals. Use a focal wall with the simplest of visuals such as a bulletin board and/or a white board.  If possible a flat screen TV would enhance your teaching through the use of video clips, info graphics and slides.
4. The classroom needs plenty of light so make sure there is an appropriate amount of good clean light for the room. Either install new lighting or add some stand alone type lamps.
5. The comfort of the classroom will also very important. Make sure that the chairs are comfortable and also make sure that there is air movement in the room.  If the HVAC is not adequate and can not be corrected, then you may need to use a ceiling or floor fan.  If the room is not warm enough it may require a safe floor heater.

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Dr. Smith serves as a state missionary with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and is the Groups and Faith Development Specialist.  Visit their website at gabaptistgroups.org for more information and other resources to aid your ministry.  You can also connect with Dr. Smith at facebook.com/GABaptistGroups or twitter.com/GABaptistGroups  Dr. Smith is available for conferences or other speaking opportunities and can be contacted at tsmith@gabaptist.org.