Joshua Skotek

Journal review 2

March 9th, 2020

For this review I read the article The BETA Classroom, the article

was all about learning rich environments in the classroom. Flexible

seating is a method thats all about ditching traditional, or row and

desk, seating. The first thing this journal did was outline some of the

problems that traditional seating and lighting arrangements offer.

Some of these problems include SLD students being less likely to

participate when sitting at a cluster of desks and the traditional lights

in the classroom cause strain to eyes of students. After outlining the

problems of traditional arrangements the article dove into talking to

teachers in the field who have begun to use flexible seating. One

teacher spoke about the way that some students like to sit in normal

seats while other students would prefer to sit on a yoga ball or a bean

bag chair. The article also spoke about how effectively setting up your

class library is a essential thing in the classroom because to promotes

reading and allows readers to get the most out of it.

After reading the article I very strongly agree with the

information that was provided. I feel as if traditional arrangements are

outdated and no longer should be the model for a good classroom. I

never was able to experience flexible seating in my years in school

and looking back can see how a student like me would've benefited

from such arrangements. I would not have responded differently then

the author did because I agree with their stance and really thought

they provided information in a very organized manner. Also I really

enjoy the way the author provided examples of how traditional

I believe that the beta classroom looks extremely different in

every school setting so it is up to everyone in the school community to

design it to the classroom’s needs. Due to this I feel as if the best way

to go about the beta classroom is to communicate with the class in

the summer with an email or a classroom dojo and ask the students

and their parents what the ideal classroom set up for them would be.

After receiving feedback it falls on the teacher and the administration

to see if the students’ needs can be met and still have a organized flow

for a lesson to be taught. Also a consideration that needs to be

thought of is the expense that it would be on the school district or the

teacher in question. Another question that needs to be answered with

the beta classroom is what to do with the teachers desk. Many

teachers believe that a desk can be seen as an intimidation factor that

can scare students. In a new beta classroom I see myself as someone

who will be ditching the traditional desk to ensure that I will always be

moving around the classroom providing the students with the best and

most thorough education that I can.

I feel as if this is an issue that will greatly effect day to day

teaching because how the beta classroom is such a diverse and every

changing subject. I believe it is a topic that is just starting to gain the

attention that it deserves. The topic of the beta classroom is going to

become exponentially more important as more findings come out to

show how beneficial having these types of classrooms are. I am

excited as a future educator who gets to experience such a

transitional time in the classroom.