Peer Review

Classroom Organization Exercise

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Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: A simulation that allows students to create different physical layouts of a
classroom for the use of instructional technology. An accompanying written
assignment requires students to examine and explain the reasons for their chosen
layout.
Type of Material:: Simulation
Recommended Uses:: This simulation allows students to try different classroom arrangements and
discuss the impact on the integration of technology into instruction.
Technical Requirements:: Internet connection and browser.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: Understanding the role of classroom organization on the integration of
technology into the instructional process.
Target Student Population:: Undergraduate students enrolled in an instructional technology course.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Knowledge of basic educational technology and appropriate uses of such
technology in the instructional process, plus an understanding of how different
classroom arrangements impact classroom management and the teaching/learning
process.

Rating:
Strengths:: The goal of technology usage in education is integration into the instructional
process. Technology should support curricula objectives and allow students to
engage in constructive, meaningful learning. The arrangement of technology
resources in the classroom is a critical component of technology integration.
This exercise aids students in exploring issues such as what technology
resources would be needed to achieve desired outcomes, how and by whom
technology will be used in the classroom, and the influence of classroom
organization on that usage.
Concerns:: Site does not provide much support material, such as links to information about
classroom organization and technology integration. This is not a major
difficulty if the instructor plans activities and provides background
information to helps student learn about different arrangements before using the
site. However, this site is not appropriate for use without formal interaction
between the faculty member and the students because there are no explanations
about classroom arrangement.

Rating:
Strengths:: This simulation allows students to try different classroom arrangements and
discuss the pros and cons of each. It could appropriately be used for lab or
homework and to structure discussion of the influence of the physical classroom
organization on the integration of technology into instruction. It encourages
students to think about and explore the potential effects and the interaction of
the physical layout of the classroom and instructional technology on the
instructional process. Successful completion of the project requires reasoning
about how technology will be used in instruction and the affordances provided by
different classroom organizations.
Concerns:: Students are asked to write an explanation for their particular classroom
arrangement but no rubrics are provided as suggested criteria or to allow the
student to self-evaluate. More explicit criteria should be given to the student
about factors to consider when designing the classroom layout.

Rating:
Strengths:: Straightforward interface ? easy to manipulate and experiment with it. Reset
button makes it easy to experiment with different layouts. The site allows the
furniture to be dragged and dropped easily, and if the student makes an error,
he or she can hit the reset button and begin again.
Concerns:: The furniture can not be angled or turned.