As an Online Instructor I try to impress upon my students that they need to find a way to create their own "classroom". A quiet place with at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted time. For my Accounting I class I stress they need to try to find an accumulation of 10 hours each week to complete all of the items. If they are done sooner they can feel a sense of success. If it takes the full 10 hours they should not get a feeling of defeat thinking they should have finished much sooner. If they were in a class room for 4 hours each week and then completed homework outside of class 10 hours is not that unusual for a college class.
I also try to provide a clear itemization of the order to complete the Online requirements so they get the most of their study time as the materials are building blocks and the first ones support the next ones in each Unit.
I also have found with adult learners (maybe with children) that with my Office Hours set at 9-10 PM this will hopefully be a time when everyone else in their home is settled in for the night and my student can focus on their assignments. I want them to feel like they can ask questions just like they would if I was standing in front of them in "their classroom".
But to try to get these ideas across to the student they have to read what I write to them (or listen to a voice message). Either way they have to find the e-mail or announcement or learning message and "hear" it. I cannot physically put it in front of them or observe them as they try to comprehend my message. But the flexibilty of the Online platform for adult learners is still my ideal classroom.
As a clinical nursing instructor our learning environment may change from week to week depending on what segment a student is rotating through. I am always able to provide a place for pre and post conference and I bring pertinent learning materials to each.
I feel the hospital floor is the optimum learning environment for student nurses, where ever we are. By the time they are able to do clinical, the hands-on training is invaluable, they are there to learn an enormous amount of information and most of it is directly related to patient care.
Hi, Alicia,
I also am a clinical nursing instructor. I agree, it is a good learning experience for the students to encounter the different attitudes toward students by different nursing staff members.
Some staff are helpful and appreciate the help the students may bring to the floor, and like to help educate the students. Some staff seem to be too busy, overworked, etc. to encourage student interaction, and I offer our help in a low key manner and we have been able to be of assistance in several cases.
I emphasize the importance of teamwork and indicate that in the working world we are all part of a team and need to work with everyone in a positive, supportive way.
A good idea, Gary. Maybe I'll see if any of my contacts at my last company have current issues they're currently working on and would be willing to share. They could get on the spot feedback from the students and the students' would see real life examples.
Hi Richard,
An additional point about bringing live work into the classroom is that when my students are working on these projects they meet with community leaders and stakeholders. This really gets them involved in working through the steps of problem solution. In addition, this works counts as a part of their service learning.
Gary
Hi Richard,
Is it possible to bring live work into the class? I try and get a problem in the community that needs solved and then assign it to my students. I put them in groups and have each group take part of the problem and work toward solutions. Through the use of real life examples they can see possible solutions but they still have to come up with their own real life solutions since they are helping a community based organization with a problem.
Gary
My students are very grade oriented (the class is an upper level accounting class). A number of them have a fear of taking tests. As a result they are constantly asking to go over the test or quiz areas or going over problems direcly related to what's going to be covered. I need to get the students to focus on the practical application of what they are learning rather than grades. I do use real life examples, but is there anything else that may work?
Hi Doris,
Reading the class and how students are reacting and interacting with each other is essential for good class management. Respect is critical on the part of everyone in the class so each person can feel a part of the class and that he/she can contribute to the total content of the course.
Gary
I feel that classroom setup it important to learning and that courses can vary in the optimal configuation of studens. Being able to comfortabling shift to and from small group settings is important
I agree that the environment is created primarily by the tone set by the instructor.
I encourage questions at any time during the class, but expect courtesy in allowing each person to speak without interruption. I observe the reactions of the students - if there appears to be a lack of attention by one or more, it is time to vary the presentation to regain attention.
The learning environment is critical to student success. Any number of distracting environmental conditions (temperature, noise, uncomfortable seating) might hinder learning. Whereas, a classroom that is organized, well stocked in the needed materials, and large enough for students to feel like they can organize their own materials presents an ideal learning space.
One of the most important aspects of the classroom environment is the seating arrangement. The student seating should be positioned so that each student can make eye contact with the teacher and the teacher can observe the students' reactions to the presentation of different materials. Good visual communication always aids learning.
Hi Alicia,
Thank you for sharing this experience. As you say it is what it is. This is the real world in which these students will soon be entering. Even though it may be harsh is give them experiences that will help them with their careers. This is the part of a career that makes or breaks many people. The working with others in settings that are challenging.
Gary
I teach nursing students so my classroom is the hospital where the students go for their clinical experience. This kind of setting is difficult since this environment is what and how it is. Each student has to work with a staff and some are not receptive at all. Some staff would agree to having a student but would totally ignore the student, some are very intimidating. The negative behavior of the staff towards students make teaching difficult since students become less motivated, and fearful. As their clinical instructor, I took this opportunity to turn it into a learning experience, telling them that they will be working with people with different personalities, and that should not hinder their number one purpose in choosing nursing.. and that is helping others and the patient comes first.
I appreciate what you said about balancing fairness and consistency with being light-hearted and fun. It's so important to have both!
If the learning environment is uncomfortable, then the student will be distracted from learning; if it's too comfortable then the student may just fall asleep or lose focus. A good learning environment should take into consideration the classroom temperature, adequate space for all, and good visibility of the instructor and instructional materials.
In all these considerations however, a professional environment that encourages attentiveness and participation should be maintained. This part of the learning environment is created primarily by the mood or tone set by the instructor. An environment that is too lax where students feel it is always okay to talk at the same time or simply get up and walk out is not conducive to learning and can be very distracting. As an instructor, it's my job to set the tone and expectation level about those aspects of the learning environment.
Well the best possible way I can think of is playing to the strengths of the students and see what is the best way they can learn.
Hi Elise,
I really understand about the broken or missing AV equipment. I teach in a number of different classrooms as I don't have one of my own. So each time I teach I wonder what will or won't work. This is where the backup plan is so critical.
Gary
The learning environment should meet the needs of all types of students and allow adequate space for seating and writing. The room/space should be comfortable, but not so much so that the student feels like napping instead of learning. Therefore lighting should support a learning environment. Something as simple as room temperature should be taken into account. Too warm produces sleepy students. Too cold is just simply miserable. Instructors should sit at different places in the room before students arrive to visualize the room from the student's perspective - will everyone be able to see the board/podium/demonstration table? Checking out the room first, gives the instructor the opportunity to make changes/adjustments before the course starts. If the classroom is comfortable and promotes learning from the start - the student will look forward to returning.
The classroom needs to be inviting and all materials and technology needs to be ready. This helps students see how it is done in the professional world and sets certain expectations for them. I show examples from the industry (posters, flash animations, websites) as well as previous student examples to motivate my students to do even better.
My students often come into class suspicious of the Humanities, and many assume they "can't do it". I work with the environment to create a sense of community and interest. I'm a fiber artist, and have many bolts of fabric. I use these as tablecloths in the classroom, changing the fabrics each week to represent the subject matter. I also change the bullet points on the agenda I distribute at the beginning of the week. I use a small picture that represents the subject matter. This also helps me when I file my copies-I know what chapters they represent.
One challenge I regularly face is in the technology arena. I do use many types of audio-visual equipment. Sometimes I come into the classroom and it either is not working correctly, or is missing completely. I always try to have a back-up plan, but it is frustrating to both me and my students.
