A study on the students' and teachers' perception of the U-shaped seating arrangement in the University of the Philippines Rural High School, Bay, Laguna, Philippines

Date

6-2023

Academic Strand

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Strand

Adviser

Jerryco M. Jaurigue

Principal

Mabel S. Buela

Abstract

Seating arrangements have been known to impact the work of both students and teachers in the classroom, however, their perception of the seating arrangement has yet to be studied. This study focuses on students’ and teachers’ perception of the U-shaped seating arrangement and aims to understand how the U-shape impacts the teaching and learning processes in a school that utilizes the seating arrangement. Through a convergent mixed-methods approach, the perception of students and teachers on the seating arrangement in UPRHS was measured through four factors derived from literature, namely: space utilization; student behavior and participation; interaction between the students and teachers; and overall preference of the respondents to the seating arrangement. Data were collected from 162 respondents and showed that the majority of the population regards the U-shape favorably when it comes to space utilization, mobility, helping the students stay attentive in class, collaboration, lectures, and group activities. Data also showed that the majority of the students disagreed that the U-shape encourages them to do boardwork or to be more competitive in class. The students are, on the other hand, divided in their responses to the U-shape encouraging them to recite in class. The majority of teachers consider the U-shape to be suitable for lectures and reporting

activities, but not recommended when conducting examinations. The majority of the respondents rated the U-shape to be considerably high in their overall preference for it. Out of 14 statements regarding the students’ and teachers’ differences in perception of the U-shape, only 2 were shown to be statistically significant. As such, the students and teachers were found to have no difference in their perception of the U-shaped seating arrangement, and generally agree with findings from previous literature, albeit with a few exceptions; there is a significant difference between their perception of the use of the U-shape with group and collaborative activities and its impact on recitation activity of students. The U-shape was otherwise deemed appropriate for lectures and reporting activities. Overall, the respondents generally prefer the U-shaped seating arrangement, given its comfort factor, full use of the classroom space, and its ability to connect not only the students to each other but also the teachers to the students, and vice versa. The U-shaped seating arrangement is then recommended for medium-sized classrooms and for classes wherein student behavior and participation are particularly encouraged.

Language

English

LC Subject

Capstone

Location

University of the Philippines Rural High School

Document Type

Capstone

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