Hi Bill,
Thank you for the excellent strategies you outlined for educators. All of the items you listed help contribute to learner success. We have to remind ourselves the reason why we are educators and that is to share our knowledge in a way that is meaningful and beneficial to the learners.
Gary
I feel that the learning environment plays a huge rile in the instructional process. I feel that high interaction increases social presence in the online classroom. My philosophy leans toward high social presence in the online classroom because students need to know that they are being taught by a real, professional, knowledgeable person. They also need to have the ability to share thoughts and experiences with their peers.
Lacey Finley
The learning environment will have a big effect on how well the student will learn. The classroom should have what is needed for the instructor to effectively present the course information. If it is not present in the classroom it should be readily available. The comfort level of the room should also be easily accessable. If the room is too hot or too cold it will affect the ability of the student to concentrate.
Many times during the first few days of a course students have a high level of stress cause by being afraid to make mistakes solving simple problems, and the resulting feelings of embarassment. When I make a mistake writing on the white board, I joke that sometimes the white board marker makes a mistake, just their like pencils can make mistakes. There is nothing to be embarassed about, as things can always be erased. Sometimes a student gives an answer to a problem from the textbook, by just reading the answer, and can not explain how they got that answer. I will sometimes I joke and say "good job book." If I think the student can solve the problem, but is just a little unsure or not confident, I will assist the student in a step-by-step process of how to solve the problem. Otherwise, I will usually ask another student if they can help the class to better understand how to solve the problem. After each problem is solved, I always ask the class if there are any questions or anything anyone is not sure about, before going on to the next problem.
The learning environment, either a classroom or laboratory, has an effect on the student’s ability to learn. The physical environment often can not be changed, but we can affect the instruction process. By better understanding how we learn, we can better understand how to instruct.
Learning is the acquiring of new knowledge or skills. Learning is an individual experience, even in a group environment. In order to be successful learners, we need to understand how we learn.
Three factors should be considered for learning to be most effective and integrated into our daily lives. First, it is important to capitalize on an individual’s learning style including how one perceives information, the experiences of the individual, and a person’s motivations for learning a specific topic. Second, learning should be goal-based. Third, technology should be used to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the educational delivery process by providing a variety of media and computer-aided instruction.
Research indicates that if we want to transfer something from short-term to long-term memory, we should think about it, relate it to other things we know, question it, and transform it into our own words.
Andragogy is the art and science of helping adults learn. The andragogic model asserts five issues to be considered and addressed in formal learning; letting the learner know why something is important to learn, showing learners how to direct themselves through information, relating the topic to the learners experiences, recognizing people will not learn until ready and motivated to learn, and helping learners overcome inhibitions, behaviors, and beliefs about learning.
Learning is any increase in knowledge, memorizing information, acquiring knowledge for practical use, abstracting meaning from what we do, and a process that allows us to understand. Applying learning to the information age, implicates a move from teacher-centered to learner-centered education. Technology and multimedia can act as an information disseminator, a presentation tool, and a facilitator. Media can adapt and complement learning styles.
I'm a big fan of placing chairs in a semi-circle if the set-up of the room allows for it.
Several years ago, I taught a Freshman Composition class in a technology classroom that had chairs affixed immovably to tables, which didn't allow for students to circle up or get into small groups comfortably. This had a MAJOR negative effect on class discussion.
I believe it's extremely important, especially in discussion-based courses, for each student in the class to be able to comfortably and easily see and hear each other student in the class.
The learning environment establishes the comfort or discomfort in the area in which students will learn. The environment can be calming or disruptive, comfortable or uncomfortable, engaging or unengaging. The learning environment can be conducive to learning or it can hamper learning.
Learning environments should be clean and tidy. Noise reduction should also be a goal to enhance learning. Beverages, snacks, and supplies can be offered to make the environment more welcoming.
Amy Thenor
Hi Janet,
You hit upon all of the key things for making a classroom/lab inviting. Since the physical setting can't do it you are right about how the instructor can. I am sure your students really enjoy being a student in your class since you are using your personality as a key teaching tool.
Gary
Hi Steven,
You make a good point about how to create a supportive instructional environment. I really like your last sentence in that while doing all of this you still much maintain a business like atmosphere. After all we are training for career success and we need to maintain those standards.
Gary
Hi Renee,
You make seven excellent points about how to set the tone for instruction. This is what teaching is all about.
Gary
Hi Patricia,
You are right about being able to set the tone of the class. Even though the conditions may be a bit tough or shabby as you say excitement on the part of the instructor can overcome these problems. If the students know you care and are supportive of them the learning level will be much higher.
Gary
I teach Intro to Computers a required 1st quarter class. Some of the students are extremely adept at computers and some have never laid hands on a mouse. My classrooms are always computer labs in a school where classroom walls are painted a very cool gray. None of these factors are warm and enviting. First time nervous college students in an unviting classroom. I totally agree that students definitely need an inviting and comfortable classroom so I have to create that warmth with my personality. Humor, respect, fun and "atta boys" does, I've found go a long way toward creating a better atmosphere. I encourage laughter and I feel that, like incorporating all their senses, sometimes they remember things because they laughed. I treat them like respected adults and I spend a great deal of time walking around and watching their screens for opportunities to praise them. I must make the "new to computers" students comfortable and less afraid while I encourage confidence and allow play and exploration with the "aces".
The learning environment plays a pivotal role in student learning. If a student feels safe and comfortable, she or he is more likely to focus on the learning at hand. I do my best to provide an environment which is relaxed yet business-like.
I feel as an insructor, the creation of a learning environment that is conducive to the instructional process is crucial. To create a positive learning environment the instructor must create a learning environment where the students feel comfortable, non-threatened, stimulated, challenged and important. They need to feel that they can ask questions without feeling stupid; they can laugh at their own mistakes and realize they can move on to discovery.
Some ways that a learning environment can be adapted to maximize the instructional process include: 1. As an instructor, walk into the classroom with a positive attitude--students will pick up on your attitude and will tend to join in with that positive feeling. 2. Treat each student with respect and make them feel they are important. 3. Greet students and make some chit-chat--ask about their weekend, etc. 4. Encourage students to participate, however, do not insist--allow them to have time to reach a comfort zone within the classroom. 5. Apply real-life situations/experiences to the course material. 6. Listen to your students. 7. Group activities encourage camaraderie among students.
Renee Weeks
The learning enviroment has to be as stimulating as the course material. That can go either way. Aboring classroom or lab enviroment coupled with a droning instructor is a recipe for dozing.
I've been in college classes with empty walls and a room full of desks/chairs and that was it. Very cold and austere and a bit intimidating. I think, even in a college class, small touches can make a difference. For example, carpeting immediately warms up a room. Also, placing chairs and desks and an informal arrangement (circular or in small groups rather than all facing forward) can make a room seem friendlier. Absent the ability to manipulate the concrete, I think an instructor who appears approachable and genuinely happy and excited to be there can make an impact on the learning environment. If students feel that this is a safe place where they are valued, their thoughts and opinions are valued, and the instructor truly wants them to succeed, that is the most important factor in "maximizing" the instructional process...
Hi Peter,
You are right on with the arrangement of the room making a difference in the discussion. I use the same format when I am conducting a case study or discussion. The face to face opportunity to see each other while talking helps to encourage everyone to participate.
Gary
The learning environment needs to reflect the course being taught. If you are teaching a discussion based course, a room that is set up class-room style with all seats facing the front, it is not conducive for the purpose of discussing the topic with the class. When I encounter this situation, I arrange the room so that the students are facing each other and not me which makes the course more lively.
Hi Heather,
You are right about having a good learning environment set up for the students. When teaching online if the students know that you are there for them and care about their success they will be more engaged. You are doing all of the right things to make learning happen. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Hi Gabriel,
Good plan. You method of letting the students back draft into the course content helps them to see relevancy and application. They will retain material longer by seeing the necessity of having the information.
Gary
