Re: Ref wanted: Sitting classroom arrangements

Ken Goodman (kgoodman who-is-at u.arizona.edu)
Fri, 20 Aug 1999 12:12:21 +0000

Lillian Weber's program at City University in New York was called Open
Corridors. With rows of bolted down desks in many New York City Schools, she
encouraged teachers to take advantage of the high ceiling hallways with open
space to conduct much of the small group activities from their classrooms. SHe
published extensively in the seventies into the 80's.
Incidentally the psych building here at Uof AZ still has bolt down desks built
for slim tushes. As a child in the 30's I attended a Detroit school with such
desks. 30 years later when I taught at Wayne State I supervised student
teachers in the same school. The only change was fluorescents lighting and
empty holes in each desk that had once housed inkwells.
Ken Goodman

nate wrote:

> Eugene,
>
> Upon hearing this message I remembered an interesting thread about
> architecture from a couple years back. I found the following xcma thread
> from September of 97 that might be fruitful. I am also including Jan
> Nespor's message which has several references that might be useful. Ken's
> story of the bolted down desks came to mind, but was unable to find the
> message.
>
> http://communication.ucsd.edu/MCA/Mail/xmcamail.9709.dir/subject.html#start
>
> http://communication.ucsd.edu/MCA/Mail/xmcamail.9709.dir/0152.html
>
> Nate
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Eugene Matusov <ematusov who-is-at udel.edu>
> To: XMCA <xmca who-is-at weber.ucsd.edu>
> Sent: Thursday, August 19, 1999 2:15 PM
> Subject: Ref wanted: Sitting classroom arrangements
>
> > Hi everybody--
> >
> > I'm preparing for my undergrad course for elementary school teacher
> majors.
> > I wonder if you may help me to find a good article or chapter discussing
> > sitting classroom arrangements (or desk arrangements) and their
> consequences
> > for instruction, learning, and activities. Discussion of cultural issues
> of
> > sittings arrangements can be really plus.
> >
> > For those who may be interested, we have designed a website with pictures
> of
> > culturally and historically diverse classrooms around the world at
> > http://ematusov.soe.udel.edu/classrooms
> >
> > I'd appreciate your help,
> >
> > Eugene
> >
> > ----------------------
> > Eugene Matusov
> > School of Education
> > University of Delaware
> > Newark, DE 19716
> > Office (302) 831-1266
> > Fax (302) 831-4445
> > email ematusov who-is-at udel.edu
> > Website http://ematusov.soe.udel.edu/
> > -------------------------
> >
> >