מב"ם הלכות תלמוד תורה פרק ד הלכה ב
כיצד מלמדים, הרב יושב בראש והתלמידים מוקפים לפניו כעטרה כדי שיהו כלם רואים הרב ושומעים דבריו, ולא ישב הרב על הכסא ותלמידיו על הקרקע אלא או הכל על הארץ או הכל על הכסאות, ובראשונה היה הרב יושב והתלמידים עומדים ומקודם חורבן בית שני נהגו הכל ללמד לתלמידים והם יושבים
How should a class be taught? The teacher sits at the head of the table and the pupils surround the teacher like a wreath, so that all can see and hear the teacher. The teacher must not sit on a chair while the pupils sit on the ground; either they all sit on the floor or they all occupy chairs. Originally, the teacher used to sit while the pupils were standing. Ever since the time preceding the destruction of the Second Temple, it has been a general custom to teach pupils in the fashion they are seated. [Translation by CAJE. Edited for gender neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. Why should the children and teachers all be seated on the same level?
2. The Rambam conveys a sense of equality between the students and their peers, and between the students and the teachers. How does this help create a positive learning environment?
3. What educational values does the Rambam’s learning environment transmit?
Time Period: Medieval (Geonim through the 16th Century)