The learning environment is very important to successful learning...and teaching. I teach on-line. My learning environment is quite different from the environment assumed by this course. Still, the concepts are similar. On-line it is important to welcome a student to class and develop rapport. It is important to have a detailed syllabus so the student knows what is expected of them and what they can hope to get out of the course. Chat sessions are critical to developing a sense of community with students and their peers. I am teaching a class now where a student wrote they learned as much from the class discussion, on-line, as they did from the book. That is a testament to the ability of distance learning to achieve a successful learning environment.
The learning environment plays a crucial part in the instructional process. For instance, many students prefer a quiet room with only the instructor speaking. If loud noises come from outside or mumbling from others, then it is a distraction and it is hard to learn. Some ways that this particular learning style can be maximized is to have sound proof rooms!
I agree with the lack of clutter and distracting items in a classroom. It gives the students something to draw their attention away from more important tasks when too many posters, piles of presentation materials, visual aids, etc, relevant or not, invade the class. I like to take out what is needed for the day, and store the rest in a non-visible area when allowable. I also have employed a small mobile whiteboard in the lab in which I write the days objectives and activities to not only refer to myself, but as a reminder to the students of the direction of the class. I then let students volunteer to explain the concepts and check off the accomplishments at the end of lab. It keeps them engaged and helps solidify the concepts for the next day at the end of a 7 hour class, which can be challenging.
I find that planning is very important in this area. I have students that are comming from their regular work, and they need the Instructor to have a comprehensive game plan in place so that they can focus at all the tasks at hand and make that days activities a pleasent one.
Creating a comfortable and nonthreatening learning environment for online learning can be difficult at times. I attempt to use icebreakers and the like to allow the students a chance to get to know me and vice versa. It seems to create a more solid and comfortable rapport in my experience. However, because online learning can create a sense of anonymity, learners sometimes feel they can say whatever they want and not consider netiquette when speaking online. This can create a threatening environment as well.
I attempt to ensure netiquette is understood and respected form day one and reminded from time to time when necessary to ensure the learning environment for my learners remain comfortable and effective throughout the course.
Dr. Amy Laptad
I always try to crack jokes among my students refering to what ever subject we are learning that day. that creates a good psycologique ambiance, and set up the class for a fun and pleasant way to learn. demo also are good to create interaction and more focus learning in the classroom.
The learning environment is a multi-layered one given the fact that it consists not only of the online classroom itself but also the setting in which students and instructors find themselves in to login to class. The online classroom should be an environment in which students feel comfortable and safe; otherwise, they won't feel secure in sharing information and interacting with one another which will certainly affect the learning that takes place. As an instructor, I work hard at creating and maintaining this type of environment for students. In addition to the online classroom, students and instructors also need to take into account the setting in which they work. A space that is quiet, comfortable, free of clutter and conducive to studying will help with creating a space that enhances learning.
The learning environment, if appropriate, provides the student with comfort and becomes conduscive to learning.
Updated technology,black/white boards,proper lighting and temperature, comfortable seating, etc.
I believe that the environment depends on the topic or technique the teacher is planning on discussing. For example, if I'm trying to get learners to understand terminology or theory, it helps to keep the overall tone of the room relatively calm so that the information can sink in. For practical knowledge, in the kitchen, I like to get it as "real" as I can by giving them realistic time limits to complete the technique properly.
It may sound silly, but I have plants in my room and an area that will display student work on various projects. Students have commented that the plants have helped keep the room from looking too 'institutional' and show that I take pride in the setting I can provide for them. Seeing students' work displayed is nice because students see what they can expect as far as projects.
I have found the "learning environment" to be one of the most important issues in the program I teach.
We are in the same workshop from 8-3 daily and the physical and emotional atmosphere makes a huge impact on the students.
We all have to make the best of limited space. The students have personal work stations but must share many things as well. I do what I can to make sure the workshop is well stocked and I try to plan projects to avoid making space or equipment limitations an obvious concern. By spacing out the assignments carefully I try to avoid log jams at certain work stations, for example.
I also work from day one to encourage the students to take responsibility for their environment-- I don't do all the cleaning and organizing for them! I assign them a schedule of shared responsibilities and encourage them to do small things to make the classroom pleasant and comfortable. I find that they are more positive about the environment if they feel empowered and responsible.
As important as the physical atmosphere can be, I find that negativity is dangerous and contagious. The ocassional epidemic of negativity seems to completely block all learning in the class. I've found it important to threaten to quarantine the complainers and address their problems quickly to avoid losing the rest of the class.
The learning environment plays a large part in the instructional process. If a student does not feel comftorable in their learning environment, the learning process will be disrupted and the student will be distracted from what they are suppose to be concentrating on.
Below are some ways the learning environment can be adapted to maximize the instructional process.
1.Climate control- to some degree this will play a small role, if it is too hot or too cold the student will be uncomftorable.
2. Cleanliness- Keeping the demo table clean is a must, the student copies what you do, so the table must remain clean from a food safety point of view. Also keep the table free of clutter, anything that is not related to the demo should be taken off, this creates a distraction from what the student should be concentrating on.
3. Keeping order within the class- Any disrespectful or obnoxious students should be dealt with immediately, this is very disruptive behavior to other students trying to learn.
4. Keeping past class projects on display around the room can motivate or encourage the students on what is to come in the future.
One of the best aides I ever found for setting up a classroom was in a book that got lost in a move and I cannot remember the title or author (otherwise I would include it here).
The environment was essentially seen as a circle. The center of the circle was were the instructor chose to place focus (white board, flip chart, projection screen, lecturn, or just the instructor etc.)
The circle itself extended about 10 to 15 feet around the center. Everything inside that circle would be "engaged" with what was going on at the focus point. Anyone outside the circle would not be "engaged" primarily because they would not feel part of the activities.
This concept has helped me to always think in terms of this circle and how I keep the students inside it, either by arranging the room (chairs or instructional materials) to keep people inside it, or, if I, as the instructor, am the focus, and moving around the room to bring everyone into the circle.
I find this idea of a "circle of engagement" to be an easily-used, overarching method to view and manage the learning environment.
The learning environment in my mind,plays a key
role in the instructional process.The instructor
can create an environment that is conducive to
the learning process by increasing connectiveness
with students(getting to know them) and creating
opportunities for student success(grading correct
answers only).
Hi DJ,
Correct. The closer you can replicate the setting the students will be working in the easier it is going to be to maintain the standards of the industry and help the students bridge the gap between school and work.
Gary
As a career driven instructor, the facility should reflect the actual enviroment the students will be working in. For an example, a commercial kitchen; hot, noisy, full of dangers at each and every turn, yet self rewarding of managing these dangers on a regular basis. True to life situations.
The learning environment plays a big role in the classroom. The students in the back row of class for the last couple of days haven't been as focused on the lecture as the rest of the students have been. So I asked the back row to move up to the front for the next day's lecture. They were more engaged in the lecture and I noticed that they were taking more notes.
Hi Kimberly,
You might want to create a "break" for them by pulling them together to do a small group activity or some type of competition as a diversion. Since it is under your command they will stop their individual work and shift their attention to you. I use these kinds of things to redirect the thinking of my students so they don't get "brain freeze" from concentrating on one area too long.
Gary
My students often get so involved in their projects, that when I tell them it is time for the school's scheduled break they usually don't take one. I have tried to adapt by letting them know, they are adults and are free to stretch and walk around when ever they feel they are at a "stopping point." Still, most of them keep working and won't take one break in a five hour period. I admire their enthusiasim, but worry about them burning out. Any suggestions?
Hi Mary,
Relaxed and comfortable students are much easier to teach than those that are too hot/cold or uncomfortable. I like the use of semi-circle seating as well. That way I never have a back row. Each student is within easy eye contact with both me and other students.
Gary
