There are two different things to think about for column ordering in SharePoint 2010.

1. In the "List" subtab beneath the "List Tools" tab there is an option for "List Settings" and if one clicks here and then clicks the link for "Column ordering" one may change the order form fields appear for editing columns at CRUD screens for list line items.
2. In the "List" subtab beneath the "List Tools" tab there is an option for "Modify View" and if one clicks here one may alter the order columns appear in at a list.