The learning environment strongly influences a student's desire to engage in the learning process, particularly for adult learners. Adult learners want to feel a part of the learning process and an inviting, respectful, and open learning environment will help with their own self-motivation, which is another essential part of their learning focus. In the online environment, in which I teach, creating a positive learning environment starts before the first day of class by knowing the course yourself as the instructor and jumping in to the class with both feet right away. Having a solid instructor presence in an online course helps to show online students they are not in the course alone.
Hi Christine,
Right you are about engaging the students. Online students can get hooked into the excitement just as the on site students can but we have to work harder at in in different ways. Great attitude. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Hi David,
All of this prior planning pays off when you walk into the class for the first time. The students quickly know you have gone to great effort to get ready for them. Plus, you don't get thrown off by having too many students and not enough space or other such planning problems that can cause a new class to get off to a poor start.
Gary
Hi James,
You are right about all the things you listed but there is one that really stands out for adult students and that is "milestones". Letting them know how they have progressed and where they are at within the course is so critical. These milestones really help to encourage students that may be on the verge of dropping out.
Gary
Different students learn differently. Some are visual, some auditory, some some Q&A others hands-on. Most adult learners in my experience need hands-on, real-world-based activities to understand new material.
I try to mix as many learning styles into my instruction as I can. Lecture, AV aids, and class discussion provide variety, but I always cap the session with something that the student has to actually do. If I'm teaching search strategies for online database searching, I provide time during class for students to complete guided searches while I'm still there to help.
In fact, I don't provide too much initial instruction-just the minimum to get them started. As they progress through the assignment, their questions will flow directly from the areas where they're stuck. Thus,they have a context to fit the information into.
The learning environment is key to the instructional process. For instance, moving tables so students face each other enhances discussions.
How do you get them to engage? Is it through required discussions, or are discussions so awsome, they can't help but get involved?
The online learning environment is often vital to student success. I like to set a tone of awe and wonder...I like to present my passion for my subject field to encourage students to dive in a little deeper. We do not have the benefit of classrooms where students can see us...hear us...etc. We must rely on the tone we set in the virtual classroom. Engage..engage...engage is my mantra :)
The learning Environment plays a very important role. Students must be in a friendly environment that would make it pleasant to learn. The instructional process would then be complimented and adapted to. I think it is important to have good working equipment, access to dry erase boards available while the projector is on, and have all materials ready and organized.
To maximize the learning environment I try to make sure I know the room I am teaching in prior to the first day of lecture. It is very important to be organized and ready with all materials on-demand. Another way is to know the size of the class and get preassigned classrooms that can house a large student population.
A positive learning environment is the one of the keys to instructional success. If students have the tools that they need to be successful, they will normally flourish in their educational environment. As a former CTE instructor I would constantly reconfigure my classroom maximize the equipment that we would utilize for our students. By doing this we would constantly look at the ease of use and how it would play a part in the overall objectives and lesson plan of the courses being taught.
Establishing a learning environment is critical to adult students. Clearly defined goals and objectives, and in some instances milestones; allow the student to track progress and understand what the end result will or should be.
The learning environment plays a huge role - any time students are uncomfortable or distracted, they are not tuned into what the instructor is presenting. For every course an instructor needs to take a good look at the classroom and make adjustments if needed. Sometimes asking another faculty member or administrative person to sit as a student in the room is a very good tool. Ask them to be honest and give any suggestions on how to enhance the environment - it may be the arrangement of tables and chairs, or closing doors, cleaning boards, etc.
To maximize the instructional process, the learning environment must be set up in such a way that makes the students comfortable with the learning process. By this I mean comfortable to ask questions, try new ideas, share their thoughts openly, etc.
Hi James,
Right on. The training has to reflect the standards of the industry or business. By having such standards the transition to the world world will be much easier.
Gary
Ultimately hands on application in the work environment reveals our true understanding of previous education and training. The more closely the learning environment supports or approximates the actual work application, the better.
Hi Chris,
What a great balance you have for the different ways your students can contribute to the class. I really like the speech requirement as I see many students that are unable to express themselves clearly. This is good preparation for refining their communication skills in their careers.
Gary
In our Business Communication class we have interaction with the Internet to look up synonyms,the spelling and meaning of words.
We have a lecture and handouts on proofreading marks.
We have a lecture on Memos and Letters followed by lab time for students to complete different memo and letter scenarios which are corrected with immediate feedback to do over.
Lastly, the students are asked to give a 3 and 5 minute speech on a topic that interests them in the Medical or Business environment. They can use PowerPoint, do a poster, or have handouts. In all cases they must refer to them during the talk. They are graded and have immediate feedback from an evaluation they have been given 3 days earlier.
The only tool we do not use at this time is video.
The instuctiobnal enviroment sets the tone for the entire learning experience. The learning environment should contain the necessary audio/visual aids and equipment to enhance the course delivery. Chalkboards or eraserable boards should be located in line-of -sight of all students.
Hi Joseph,
Every instructor has a method of operation and you have shared yours. I am sorry you have such a high level of worry about what might happen with shaking the hand of one of your students. One of the rewards I get in working with students is the development of a professional relationship and rapport with students. Shaking their hands in congratulations for having successfully completed my course is one way I show my approval of their efforts.
Gary
Hi Vinita,
Good way to start a class. The students are greeted and made to feel welcome. This is an important way to start developing rapport with them. They know you are concerned about their success.
Gary
