Hi,
By the learning environment I mean all aspects of the educational setting. You are correct about making sure that the students feel comfortable. They have to know you care and that you are there to encourage and support them. In return they have to apply themselves in order to succeed. Yes, for many of them this may be the last stop on the career selection/preparation pathway.
I have taught in some pretty poor physical settings, but the students knew I and other staff members cared about them and that we were there for them. This caring aspect overcame any short comings that the physical plant might have had.
Gary
Hi Gary,
I teach at a private Postsecondary school and I have to agree that the learning environment is critical as well as the equipment, labs...
However in my experience students need to feel comfortable.
As an instructor I have to wear many hats during the day. I don't baby-sit but I do care about them!
I personally feel that this is their last stop and I don't want to disappoint them or let them down!
Hi Pam,
You have captured the total picture when it comes to a learning environment. It is not only the physical component but the supportive components as well. I have taught in some very difficult sites physically (alternative-high risk students) one of which was an abandoned petting zoo still inhabited by neglected animals. The school district didn't want the kids on the regular school campus, so we had to find some other place and the zoo was available. Needless to say the site verily met code, but the kids knew we cared about them, besides the abandoned animals needed their care. My point is by supporting our students and showing them a learning environment that helped them meet their learning goals they engaged with us in mutually achieving their educational goals. The site wasn't grand, but the care and dedication on the part of both the faculty and students was there.
Your points about equipment, texts, and resources are good ones as well. They all have to be in place in order for career college students to meet their life goals.
Gary
I believe the learning environment is one of several major components of the total instructional process. This, along with the quality of the instructor, and the quality of the various teaching materials/texts/resources are all factors which will determine the success of the educational program. Regardless, of the last two factors, if your learning environment is not conducive to learning, then learning will be a struggle for any student. The environment should help to facilitate whatever learning needs to happen. Whether the instructional situation is a lab where proper equipment is needed, or in a classroom where pleasant, quiet surroundings are needed, the environment plays a major role in the students ability to learn.
Hi Diab,
You are fortunate to be in a educational setting that supports you with state of the art equipment and technology. Your statement about the learning environment is correct. If the students get to study and learn in a setting that is comfortable, supportive and current a tone is already set. The instructor is then able to be creative and innovative while offering the content of the course.
Gary
The learning environment plays a very important role in the success of the instructional process. I think the physical setting is an important factor in the learning environment for some specific programs. In our laboratory program, we must use modern equipment, state of the art technology and a comprehensive job- orientated curriculum to meet industry standards and employer requirements.
Diab
Hi Kelli,
You are right about adults learners. They are enrolled in career colleges to get specific training that will help them to improve or expand their life options. They want and expect to receive quality instruction in a quality setting. The key is making sure the environment is supportive to and for learning. I to have taught in a wide variety of settings and have found that if I can create an environment of trust and support, the physical setting though not the greatest becomes less important. The students need to feel secure and supported. If we as teachers let junk pile up, papers become scattered around the classroom we are not creating a positive learning environment. The lab equipment has to be relevant to the industry, if not we are cheating our students. If these factors are in place then we as instructors can concentrate on our teaching and the students can focus on learning.
Good job with the whiteboard and Power Point. They both are fun to play with and let you do many amazing things to help drive home the learning points the students need. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Adult learners in particular are acutely aware of their wants and preferences. I have taught in everything from an unheated warehouse to a fancy resort setting. It makes a difference. Some obstacles can be overcome by desire of the student and the urgency of the material. But it makes it nice when everything is in your corner and everyone is on track. My favorite classroom tool: the white board and I love powerpoint!!!!! All my students learn how to use it since they have to perform a number of presentations themselves. Lab is especially important to make sure students can practice their skills biomechnically correct.
Hi Anie,
You are right about the importance the environment plays in learning. Career college students are focused and have many background experiences, they want to uses these experiences and their focus to progress and succeed. By having an environment that is supportive the instructor can help make this happen. It is surprising how we let things go in our classrooms and labs and the next thing you know they become barriers to learning for the students. We need to keep seeing our instructional settings through the eyes of the students. Everything from peeling paint to outdated equipment can impact learning. In addition the organization of the instructor is important. Stacked papers, un-graded papers, and non-scored projects all contribute to a poor learning environment.
It all goes back to the 3Ms—instructors must model, manage, and motivate.
Gary
I think the learning environment plays a big role in the instructional process. Adult learners in a career school are very hands-on and need to "experience," in order for learning to take place. The learning environment and instructional process both play a big role with regard to retention.
Hi Loree,
Great way of summing up what an instructor should really be. Throughout all of your comments you have demonstrated a real need for energy on the part of the instructor. Instructors have to make sure that they keep themselves psyched up to make sure that they can deliver their very best each and every time they step into the classroom.
By revisiting our professional commitment to the field we can make sure this happens even when we are challenged by situations and students.
Keep up the good work.
Gary
The learning environment is paramount in the instructional process. This environment may not have all the best tools, seats, equipment; but whatever it has, it must be conducive to learning.
As a model, manager and motivator, I should be able to take the less and make it the best. Less can be much when presented in a positive, encouraging and selective way. Each student will be considered as an individual and inspired to participate as a member of the team; as an adult aspiring to greatness.
I will present to them the best of my abilities and solicit their best. I will also continue to encourage feedback regarding their take on the instructional process. Whatever the physical, mental, intellectual, spiritual or emotional environment, attitude will override what could have been.
Hi Lily,
Sounds like you have developed an educational philosophy that reflects the key idea of making the students a part of the learning process. Often instructors just teach content and not students. There is a key difference. By being aware of the learning environment and making it supportive, instructors can focus on the dynamics of learning rather than having to apologize for the setting.
You are on the right track in terms of exploring ways of keeping your students motivated and focused.
Gary
I have learned that the learning environment can be one of the greatest motivators for student achievement! Since we are a makeup academy, we have more freedom in controlling the environment than for example a technical training college. In the future, I now understand to pick items that will allow students to feel comfortable and fashionable and engaged to learn about makeup. We may have become adults, but the statement about human beings never outgrowing the need for comfort is absolutely true.
Hi Ann,
You are correct about the environment being everything. It is often helpful if instructors will step outside of themselves for a time and try and see the classroom or lab through the eyes of their students.
As humans we get used to our surroundings very easily and with time we accept the environment in which we work, be it good, bad or somewhere in between. By constantly looking at the classroom, making sure supplies are sufficient, and that the appropriate technology is available the instructor is then free to focus on the learning needs of students.
Gary
Hi Carol,
Many times instructors become oblivious to their surroundings to the point that when they start a new class they do not realize the discomfort their students have in the setting there are suppose to learn in. As you mentioned the instructor needs to always keep focused on both the content and the environment of the instructional process. They both compliment each other in terms of instructional effectiveness.
Gary
Environment is everything. Classes held where interruptions can be expected don't go as smoothly as a classroom where interruptions are the exception. Classes in which projectors are always available cover more material and do better on tests than classes that either don't have projectors or only have them part of the time.
The learning environment is an essential component of effective learning. Preparation by the instructor, both in content as well as the physical environment is key to ensuring that students meet their instructional goals and objectives. If the classroom environment is not conducive to learning, student motivation and satisfaction may be negatively impacted which could result in compliance issues for the institution. Maintaining high student/customer satisfaction and a positive learning environment are measures of institutional effectiveness that cannot be separated.
Hi Larry,
A proper setting lends itself to positive growth. This simple truth if often forgotten in educational settings. If the classroom is not properly arranged and the supportive equipment is not functioning then no matter how hard you try as an instructor you are going to struggle.
There are many things an instructor can do to create a supportive environment for students. The most important thing is to look around and see the setting through the eyes of the students. This vision perspective will greatly assist you in developing the setting you want to have in your classroom.
Gary
I believe the learning environment is extremely important in the instructional process. I teach a legal forms class. This class consists of part lecture and part hands on legal document preparation. To prepare the documents students require computers and printers. They also require appropriate software. Without these things, the class could not be taught! These items must not only be present in the classroom, but they must function properly. Students are struggling to learn new concepts and apply these concepts in the preparation of legal documents. If the computers don't function properly or the software does not work correctly, students quickly become frustrated. If work that students have struggled to prepare is lost because of a computer malfunction you may have a very difficult time regaining that student's interest in the class. Also, if you have to spend all of your time fixing computer problems, valuable instruction time is lost. To succeed as an instructor an appropriate and properly functioning learning environment is critical.
