As a trainer one of your many roles is to make the best use of the space in the training room - best use here means using the room to help learners learn. Seating arrangement can have a gig impact and while no one layout is perfect, understanding the pro's and cons of each can set you up well
Some training sessions allow for room setup to change each day — or to vary between modules. For example, the training may begin in a U-shape configuration as participants acquire information about concepts and skills, or because it is best for showing video. Later, when participants practice program skills, tables may be set "cabaret style" for team activities.
Common options include
U-SHAPE TABLE
Advantages:
If the program involves both presentation and group discussion this is very effective as usually participants can see and hear each other
Disadvantages:
This layout makes team activities or skill practices harder to coordinate
Is unsuitable for rooms with limited space or large numbers of participants
However in very large settings participants may be far away from each other
CABARET
Advantages:
Works well when the program is a mix of presentation, small and large group discussion
Disadvantages:
It can be hard to hear participants at other tables
Line of sight to wall charts, flip charts, and other support materials may not be ideal
Participants may fall into side conversations at tables
CLASSROOM
Advantages:
works well when goal is knowledge acquisition or awareness and where
presentation and audio-visual methods predominate
Equipment configuration may dictate this setup for sessions where equipment is used in the learning process
Disadvantages:
Often perceived as formal and “teachy”
Emphasizes the teacher role in learning
Less conducive to group interaction
CONFERENCE TABLE
Advantages:
Most suitable for limited practice sessions with high levels of discussions
Disadvantages
The static nature of this set up can impede the mixing of participants and
group work
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