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What is seat mapping?

Seat mapping allows CoGuide to track participation by classroom location rather than individual identity. This privacy-first approach uses simple seat labels (A1, A2, B1, etc.) to provide detailed participation insights while protecting student privacy.
Privacy by design: No facial recognition is used. Participation is tied to seat locations, not student identities.

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Why use seat mapping?

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Enhanced participation tracking

  • Individual insights: Track participation for each seat/student
  • Pattern recognition: Identify participation patterns across the classroom
  • Targeted support: Identify students who may need additional engagement opportunities
  • Detailed analytics: Get comprehensive reports on classroom participation

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Privacy protection

  • No facial recognition: Students’ faces are never analyzed or stored
  • Location-based only: Data is tied to seat numbers, not personal identity
  • Anonymous reporting: Analytics show participation by seat, not by name
  • Secure data: All location data is encrypted and stored securely

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Setting up seat mapping

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Creating your seat map

1

Access seat mapping

Open CoGuide and navigate to Settings > Seat Mapping to begin setup.
2

Choose layout method

Select from:
  • Template layouts: Choose from common classroom arrangements
  • Custom layout: Create your own classroom configuration
  • Upload image: Use an existing classroom photo or diagram
3

Label seats

Assign labels to each seat using a simple system:
  • Row-based: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, etc.
  • Number-based: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc.
  • Custom: Create your own labeling system
4

Position camera

Ensure your camera can see all seats clearly for accurate tracking.
5

Calibrate tracking

Run the calibration process to ensure accurate seat detection.

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Layout options

Traditional rows

Standard classroom setup
  • Rows of desks facing front
  • Easy A1, A2, B1, B2 labeling
  • Clear sight lines for camera
  • Most common configuration

U-shaped arrangement

Discussion-focused setup
  • Desks arranged in U-shape
  • All students face center
  • Good for group discussions
  • Requires careful camera positioning

Group tables

Collaborative setup
  • Small groups at tables
  • Label by table and seat
  • Great for group work
  • May need multiple cameras

Lab stations

Science lab setup
  • Workstations with equipment
  • Label by station number
  • Account for equipment visibility
  • May need specialized positioning

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Seat labeling systems

Choose a labeling system that’s easy to remember and use:

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Row-based system (A1, A2, B1, B2…)

Front of room
┌─────┬─────┬─────┬─────┐
│ A1  │ A2  │ A3  │ A4  │
├─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┤
│ B1  │ B2  │ B3  │ B4  │
├─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┤
│ C1  │ C2  │ C3  │ C4  │
└─────┴─────┴─────┴─────┘

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Number-based system (1, 2, 3, 4…)

Front of room
┌─────┬─────┬─────┬─────┐
│  1  │  2  │  3  │  4  │
├─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┤
│  5  │  6  │  7  │  8  │
├─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┤
│  9  │ 10  │ 11  │ 12  │
└─────┴─────┴─────┴─────┘

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Custom system

Create your own labeling that works for your classroom:
  • Subject-based: Math1, Math2, Science1, Science2
  • Color-based: Red1, Red2, Blue1, Blue2
  • Name-based: Use student names (with permission)

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Labeling best practices

  • Use the same labeling system throughout the year
  • Make labels clearly visible to students
  • Update labels when seating changes
  • Keep a record of your labeling system
  • Ensure labels are visible to the camera
  • Use contrasting colors for better detection
  • Consider label size and font
  • Test visibility from camera position
  • Explain the labeling system to students
  • Help students learn their seat numbers
  • Use labels consistently in class activities
  • Make labels part of classroom routine

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Camera positioning for seat mapping

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Optimal camera placement

1

Height positioning

Place camera at eye level or slightly higher for best seat visibility.
2

Angle adjustment

Position camera to capture all seats without obstruction.
3

Distance consideration

Ensure camera is close enough to see seat labels clearly.
4

Lighting check

Verify adequate lighting for clear seat detection.

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Common positioning challenges

  • Use wide-angle camera settings
  • Position camera higher for better coverage
  • Consider multiple cameras for very large rooms
  • Test visibility from different positions

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Calibration process

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Initial calibration

1

Start calibration

Launch the seat mapping calibration tool in CoGuide.
2

Test each seat

Have students sit in each seat one at a time for detection testing.
3

Verify labels

Confirm that each seat is correctly identified and labeled.
4

Adjust settings

Fine-tune detection sensitivity and positioning as needed.
5

Save configuration

Save your seat map configuration for future use.

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Ongoing calibration

  • Regular checks: Verify seat detection accuracy periodically
  • Seating changes: Recalibrate when seating arrangements change
  • Lighting changes: Adjust settings when classroom lighting changes
  • Seasonal adjustments: Account for different lighting throughout the year

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Using seat mapping data

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Live monitoring with seat mapping

When seat mapping is enabled, the live overlay shows:
  • Seat-specific participation: See which seats are participating
  • Individual metrics: Track participation for each seat
  • Participation heatmap: Visual representation of engagement by location
  • Real-time updates: Live updates as students participate

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Analytics and insights

Seat mapping enables detailed post-class analytics:

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Individual participation

  • Participation frequency: How often each seat participates
  • Response patterns: Timing and frequency of responses
  • Engagement levels: Overall participation for each seat
  • Trend analysis: Changes in participation over time

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Classroom patterns

  • Hot spots: Areas of high participation
  • Quiet zones: Areas with lower engagement
  • Participation flow: How participation moves around the classroom
  • Group dynamics: Patterns in group work and discussions

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Teacher insights

  • Student support: Identify students who may need additional engagement
  • Seating optimization: Data to inform seating arrangements
  • Lesson effectiveness: How different parts of lessons affect participation
  • Classroom management: Insights for better classroom dynamics

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Privacy and data protection

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Data handling with seat mapping

Important: Seat mapping data is treated with the same privacy protections as all CoGuide data.

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What data is collected

  • Seat participation: When and how often each seat participates
  • Participation patterns: Timing and frequency of responses
  • Location data: Which seats are occupied and participating
  • No personal information: No names, faces, or identifying information

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Data protection measures

  • Encryption: All data encrypted in transit and at rest
  • Local processing: Analysis happens on your device
  • School ownership: Data belongs to your school
  • Retention policies: Data kept only as long as needed
  • Access controls: Only authorized teachers can access data

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Compliance considerations

  • No personally identifiable information collected
  • Data tied to seat locations, not student identities
  • School controls data access and retention
  • Students cannot be individually identified from data
  • No collection of personal information from students
  • Data processing happens in school-controlled environment
  • No data shared with third parties without consent
  • School maintains control over all data
  • Complies with state student privacy laws
  • No facial recognition or biometric data collection
  • Data minimization principles followed
  • School maintains data ownership and control

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Troubleshooting seat mapping

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Common issues and solutions

Possible causes:
  • Camera positioning issues
  • Poor lighting affecting detection
  • Seat labels not visible
  • Calibration needs adjustment
Solutions:
  • Reposition camera for better view
  • Improve lighting conditions
  • Make seat labels more visible
  • Recalibrate seat detection
Possible causes:
  • Similar-looking seats causing confusion
  • Camera angle affecting detection
  • Lighting creating shadows or glare
  • Calibration drift over time
Solutions:
  • Make seat labels more distinct
  • Adjust camera angle and position
  • Improve lighting consistency
  • Recalibrate detection settings
Possible causes:
  • Students not visible in camera frame
  • Hand raise detection not working
  • Microphone issues affecting voice detection
  • Settings not properly configured
Solutions:
  • Ensure all students are visible
  • Check hand raise detection settings
  • Verify microphone is working
  • Review and adjust tracking settings

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Next steps

Now that you understand seat mapping, explore:

Live monitoring

Learn how seat mapping enhances live participation tracking.

Analytics insights

Discover detailed reports and analysis enabled by seat mapping.

Privacy security

Understand how seat mapping protects student privacy.

Teacher controls

Master all the controls and settings for seat mapping.