Seating Arrangement Variations and Student Engagement in Elementary Education

A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

This study aims to examine the effect of seating arrangement variations on student engagement in elementary education through a literature review approach. This research employed a qualitative design using library research methods by reviewing 15 relevant national scientific journal articles published between 2021 and 2026. The data were collected from academic databases such as Google Scholar and related educational journals focusing on classroom management, learning environment, seating arrangements, and student engagement in elementary schools. The study used the PRISMA procedure for article selection and thematic analysis to identify and categorize the findings from previous studies. The findings reveal that flexible seating arrangements, including small-group, U-shaped, and circular formations, significantly enhance student engagement, classroom interaction, discussion participation, and collaboration compared to conventional row seating arrangements. Flexible classroom layouts also create a more dynamic and interactive learning atmosphere. However, the effectiveness of each seating arrangement depends on learning objectives, student characteristics, classroom conditions, and teachers’ classroom management skills. Therefore, seating arrangement variations should be implemented in a planned, flexible, and contextual manner to create a conducive learning environment and optimize student engagement in elementary classrooms.