Flexible Seating in the Classroom

A RESEARCH-BASED APPROACH TO ENHANCE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND ACHIEVEMENT

In today's educational landscape, teachers are constantly looking for ways to improve student outcomes and foster a positive learning environment. One of the factors that can influence student engagement and achievement is the type of seating that is available for students. Research suggests that flexible seating, which allows students to choose from a variety of seating options such as couches, bean bags, stools, mats, or standing desks, can have multiple benefits for student learning and well-being. This white paper will provide an overview of the research on flexible seating in the classroom, highlighting the advantages and challenges of implementing this approach. It will also offer some practical tips and examples for teachers who want to create a flexible seating environment in their own classrooms. The main objectives of this white paper are to:

• Explain the rationale and benefits of flexible seating for student autonomy, engagement, and achievement.
• Review the current evidence and best practices on flexible seating in the classroom.
• Provide some guidelines and recommendations for teachers who want to adopt flexible seating in their own classrooms.

Further Reading

Barret et al., “The Impact of Classroom Design on Pupils’ Learning: Final Results of a Holistic, Multi-Level Analysis.” Building and Environment, vol. 89, July 2015, pp. 118–133, htps://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2015.02.013 . Accessed 8 July 2019.

Cardon, Greet, et al. “Sitting Habits in Elementary Schoolchildren: A Traditional versus a “Moving School.” Patient Education and Counseling, vol. 54, no. 2, Aug. 2004, pp. 133–142, https://doi.org/10.1016/s0738-3991(03)00215-5.  Accessed 21 July 2020.

Cole, Kassadie , et al. Flexible Seating Impact on Classroom Environment. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, volume 20 issue 2, Apr. 2021, https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1304613.pdf 

Delzer, Kayla. “Flexible Seating and Student-Centered Classroom Redesign.” Edutopia, George Lucas Educational Foundation, 22 Apr. 2016, www.edutopia.org/blog/flexible-seating-student-centered-classroom-kayla-delzer.  Accessed 16 Apr. 2016.

Harvey, Eugene, and Melaine Kenyon. “Classroom Seating Considerations for 21st Century Students and Faculty.” Journal of Learning Spaces, vol. 2, no. 1, 2013, https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1152707.pdf  Accessed 18 Feb. 2020.

Having, J.S., “Advantages and disadvantages of flexible seating.” M.Ed. Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. https://www.proquest.com/docview/1942412260?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true&sourcetype=Dissertations%20&%20Theses, Summer 2017.

“Literature Review: New Classroom Design.” https://littletonpublicschools.net/sites/default/files/Literature%20Review-%20New%20Classroom%20Designs.pdf, Hanover Research, Nov. 2017, Accessed Apr. 2020.

Romero, Jessica. “7 Tips to Implement Flexible Seating Smoothly.” CU Online, 29 Aug. 2019, https://online.campbellsville.edu/education/flexible-seating-in-the-classroom/

Sawers, K. M., Wicks, D., Mvududu, N., Seeley, L., & Copeland, R. (2016). What drives student
engagement: Is it learning space, instructor behavior, or teaching philosophy? Journal of Learning Spaces. htps://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1152659.pdf