CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Student seating is one of the easiest, most cost-effective classroom management tactics

available to teachers. As an antecedent intervention, seating arrangements may help to

minimize or eliminate problem behavior without the need for consequence interventions (e.g.,

differential reinforcement or punishment). For example, Krantz and Risley (1977) showed that

simply seating students away from others was nearly as effective in increasing on-task behavior

as the systematic use of differential reinforcement and delivery of tangible rewards. Wheldall

and Lam (1987) found that on-task behavior doubled when students were seated individually

rather than in groups.

Seating assignments can position a student closer to the instructor, making it easier to

see and hear the professor. Seating proximity to the instructor can encourage attentive behavior,

classroom engagement, and discussion participation. Seating type may also influence the

learning environment by providing more comfort, better visibility, or improved movement.

Learning competency is very important to a student, and seating arrangement plays a

vital role in it. Bad seating arrangement causes discomfort, lack of attentiveness,

uncooperativeness and the in worst case dishonesty or in other words cheating. But one specific

aspect of seating arrangement that catches the researchers` attention was the effects of seating

arrangement according to sex; all male row, all female row and alternate sex row in learning.

Learning capability assessment is very important in determining and evaluating the

students` understanding level with regards to gender sensitive seating arrangements. In the

study, the learning capability of the students were investigated in G-11 STEM of Dangcagan
National High School. Results of these studies gives information to the teachers about the

effectiveness of this method and possible future references.

At present, the effectiveness of this seating arrangement has not been assessed. Because

it is important to know the effectiveness of method, this study was conducted.

Objectives of the Study

The general objective of the study is to assess the different seating arrangements

effectiveness in Grade-11 STEM.

Specifically, this aimed to:

1. Evaluate the positive effect of gender sensitive seating arrangement.

2. Evaluate the negative effect of gender sensitive seating arrangement.

3. Determine what is more effective in seating arrangement between gender sensitive and

non-gender sensitive seating arrangement.

Significance of the Study

The results of the study would provide baseline information on which is more effective

way of seating arrangement in Grade-11 STEM of Dangcagan National High School.

This study will be of great value to the school and eventually to the community.

More importantly, an assessment and monitoring scheme on the students learning

improvements would be beneficial to all soft science enthusiasts.

 Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study was limited only to the learning competency in different seating

arrangements of Grade-11 STEM students in Dangcagan National High School which was

conducted last October 15, 2018.

The analysis of the effectiveness was limited only to the positive and negative effect

of the two seating arrangements.

Hypothesis of the Study

To test the better and much more effective seating arrangement between gender

sensitive and non-gender sensitive seating arrangement.

Ho: The gender sensitive is much more effective than non-gender sensitive seating

arrangement.

HA: The non-gender sensitive is much more effective than gender sensitive seating

arrangement.

Definition of Terms

Learning is the process of acquiring new or modifying existing knowledge, behaviors,

skills, values, or preferences.

Seating arrangements are a main part in a teacher’s plan for classroom management.

Not only do the teachers need to consider the physical arrangement of the room but also the

nature of the students involved. The considerations in arranging the physical environment of

the room is teaching and learning can occur as efficiently as possible.

Competency is the ability to do something successfully or efficiently.