Pods vs rows

From the articles and textbook readings I've read over the years, as well as what I've gained from conversations with instructors, I've learned that "pods" (or groupings of desks in 3 or more) is often the desk arrangement that's more frequently leaned toward.

I've gathered that pods are an arrangement that promote cooperative learning: students can work on assignments together without having to be moved to a different location, they can ask one another questions when the teacher isn't present, and they can help one another in the learning process. In an ideal classroom, students would achieve greater autonomy by not having to always rely on the teacher; as well as be able to strengthen their classroom relationships.

In an ideal classroom, this is an amazing concept, but what are you supposed to do when the students are unable to regulate their volume?

My grade three classroom is a very busy bunch. They are chatty, fidgety, and can't seem to remain sitting in (or even near) their desks when they're asked to do work. When I first came into my practicum, my greatest challenge wasn't getting the students to be quiet, but rather getting them to remain quiet once you've got their attention. In a half hour time segment, at least 10 minutes of it is spent quieting, explaining, re-quieting, refocusing, and re-explaining.   When in pods, the students are easily distracted by what the person across from them is doing; making faces, fooling around in their desks; and some of the students don't face the board for instruction. 

Today, my TA thought he'd try arranging the class of 16 into rows. (He's hesitant, as the school promotes a more dynamic, hands on learning approach in which collaboration is encouraged). So far, the change in environment has made a huge impact on the classroom dynamic, and it's barely been a morning. The students have no choice but to have their eyes forward, as their desks are all facing the front of the classroom. The volume level has dropped to tolerable noise, and so far the students haven't needed to be refocused and reminded to stay on task.

As great as the pod arrangement seems to be, with a group this chatty, I think the drawbacks of pods heavily outweigh the benefits. 

Then again, it is day one. I have another week and a half remaining in this practicum, so I'll have to re-evaluate this management strategy before my time is up.