The distribution of classroom interactions

Abstract

The location of teacher-pupil interactions in the classroom was recorded in a series of formal and informal lessons in the same secondary school. Observations in formally taught classes confirmed earlier research that most interactions take place in a restricted central area, to the detriment of children outside that area, and also showed that the large majority of these interactions were initiated by the teacher. In the informal lessons, interactions were evenly distributed throughout the classroom and the bulk of interactions were initiated by the children.