What is the most efficient way to configure or arrange computers in an
elementary computer lab for teaching and learning?

I personally think if you could put computers in 3 or 4 circles of 5
per circle. Depending on how many students and computers you have,
would see how they would need to be. I think by having them in a
circle they can stay interactive, even though its a elementary
classroom, they are bound to do that anyway. Also, if you keep it
confined, but evenly spaced, you should have enough room to do
anything else that might be required for other projects.

Hope this help!

I do not believe there can be a single answer.

The *best* answer would depend on many variables you have not given here.

How many computers are there in the lab?
How many students are expected to be in the lab at one time?
Will there be more than one student at a given computer station at any time?
What sort of furniture do you have to work with?
What size is it? How much of it do you have?
What is the floor space and layout of the lab room?
Are there any special lighting, traffic flow, or wiring considerations?

If you have 5 computers that must be shared amongst 25 students in
turns, and only five 2'x18" tables put them on, and a 10'x 10' room,
your answer would be quite different than it would be if you had 25
computers on 2'x3' work-tables in a 20'x15' room with plugs on only
one side, plus a teachers' station that needs to be networked with all
of the students' stations.

If you are simply looking for a good general solution, the previous
one would be just fine.