A method for determining classroom seating arrangements by using bioinformatics

Abstract

Students in a classroom often feel an uncomfortable situation in classroom seating arrangements. This study focuses on the effects of classroom seating arrangements changes on motivation of learning and on interaction between students. In this study we inspect the classroom seating arrangements and the tendency of behavior of students by the difference of their seats. We also propose a method for determining the classroom seating arrangements by using a genetic algorithm to improve the learning environment. We carry out a questionnaire about classroom seating arrangements. We also inspect the effects of human relationship between students, flexibility of each student for classroom seating arrangements and behaviors of students of choosing the seats. A model of the classroom seating arrangements is constructed by using the results of the questionnaire and an analysis of an observation of behaviors between students. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.