Ideology in the Classroom

p. 92, Question 2
This idea of ideology being present in the physical space that we live our day to day lives in is very interesting and thought provoking. It's interesting specifically because I have never thought about these things before. What presumptions are made when designing these spaces, and how are they taken granted for and made invisible by the users of these spaces? As I think about classrooms and how they may be designed, the first “commonsense” assumption that comes to my mind is the idea that the teacher stands in front of the class. Most classrooms are set up with a blackboard on one wall that is presumedly at the front of the classroom. While teachers and students are free to move the desks about the room in any fashion they like, the placement of this blackboard puts some constraint on the manner in which they may do so. Most buildings have bathrooms on each floor, assuming that the students and teachers will be there long enough for these facilities to be used. Some classrooms are set up with a large desk or podium that are specifically for use of the teacher. Again, we are brought back to the commonsense idea of the teacher leading the class; that the teacher needs more work space and tools in order to interact with the class. Most rooms are large enough for the students' desks can be set up in a circle, allowing for open discussion, taking some of the attention away from the teacher as a focal point. Overall, however, the classroom is set up for a teacher to lead his/her class and be in a position where most of the attention is on her/him.