A Remote Access Gator Review

Since we were to select and tell about another blog from our "gator" I selected "Classroom Setup" from the remote access feed. The link to the article is http://remoteaccess.typepad.com/remote_access/2008/08/classroom-set-up.html and includes many pictures. Honestly the pictures are what caught my attention when I was skimming through different blogs. Apparently this blog is mostly pictures and discussion about setting up the classroom at the beginning of the year. I noticed several interesting things both in the reading and in the pictures.

First, the teacher has no "desk" as most teachers do. The teacher has a small corner with a chair, laptop, and small cabinet to store some basic supplies. My first reaction because I teach in a prison was "no waaaaaaaay." But then I tried to think about teaching in non prison settings. It actually seemed to make sense. Why have a big bulky desk with tons of unnecessary stuff in it. A laptop can replace a bulky desktop and a small file cabinet should work for supplies like this teacher did. Some other issues arose in my mind. For instance, what about a classroom printer. Well, either it could be located somewhere else in the room or usually you can just link your computer to an office printer on the network. Next, I wondered about separation. I think for instance that many teachers use the desk as a dividing line to separate teacher from student. Perhaps in some settings they feel this is necessary because of safety or the behavior of the students. I think separation could just as easily be created by how the room is set up as a whole and not just about having a desk to act as a wall. By the way you arrange tables, desks, and other objects in the room you could create a more open feel but maintain separation.

Another topic that jumped out at me in the blog was how much "POP" you want your classroom to have. This class had lime green on the walls, colorful chairs, plants, posters on the walls, and a couch. I would say this classroom had quite a bit of "POP" in the room. I've always wondered at what point colors and interesting stuff in the room is just distracting or a temporary attraction that fades quickly to students. Then again I suppose things like colors are only meant as a "hook" to get kids interested. Having lime green on the walls won't have kids coming back in January saying "wow I love the green on the walls, this room is so fun". At least most kids wont react that way. For sustained "POP" that would have to mean change in general. In some ways kids hate change. They like security. They think "I know Mr. Bennett will be there and so will my desk and the poster about triangles." So as interesting as change can be for some, it is unstable to others. Especially the at risk kids in unstable families. So, I would warn teachers to use change with caution. Yes repainting your room and rearranging the layout during spring break can rejuvenate the class, but some kids will be uncomfortable and feel they've lost a stable part of their unstable lives.