Hi Ava,
Thanks for sharing these very good examples of what can happen as you prepare for class. I have been in your situation on numerous occasions. One of the worst is a too cold room and no way of changing the temp. I teach from 4 until 10 so I to am alone in trying to make sure everything goes well. The night my students were freezing I went everywhere looking for someone that could help. Never did find anyone. Moved the class to the student lounge. The students liked the fact that we were able to have class in spite of a difficult situation.
Gary
Hi Christine,
Balance is the key to instruction and you make good points about how to do that. By providing students with different ways of taking in new information they can use their learning preferences and this will help them to remain focused and motivated.
Gary
Hi i'm Vanessa.i like to have the students enter the classroom with smiles and greetings.sometime i feel like it's easy to be cranky when your use to the same routine.Learning environment effect can be maximized by showing how you like to be treated when you enter a place of business.I always remember the nurse,waitress,etc. who was happy to be there.When you feel comfortable it helps to learn.
The learning environment is instrumental in the instructional process. This includes lighting, seating arrangements and supplies. I once taught a class that did not have enough seats at the first class meeting, the air conditioner was not operating and there were no dry erase markers for the board. It was an evening class, so there was no administrative staff on campus at that time of the evening. I wasted 20 minutes running around trying to find supplies and locate the person responsible for the room temperature. That experience taught me to arrive at least 30 minutes before class. I make sure there are enough seats for the number of students on the roll sheet, I bring my own markers in case they are not available and I check the room for ventillation. Additionally, I make sure that I am familiar with the "go to" people on campus. There is often a different person responsible for supplies, AC/Heating and/or furniture. These are all things to consider for maximizing the learning environment.
The learning environment plays a crucial role in the instructional process. Learning environments can be adapted to meet both student and instructional needs, such as moving tables to facilitate large group or small group discussions.
Other ways the learning environment can be adapted to maximize the instructional process include adding visual cues to the classroom for content that is going to be processed, audiovisual adaptations to assist visual learners, etc. It all depends on the course content, learners, and instructional methods utilized.
Hi Edward,
You have expressed a common complaint with the time change. I have found it also effects my students for a few days as they adjust to the hour's difference.
Gary
Now when Spring has sprung... get them out of the classroom to experience an ongoing learning experience not limited to a classroom only environment! Even if only for a brief while it may help make up for the hour lost this weekend when we spring ahead.Darn I hate when this happens because all my pets are still on their biological clocks and the stoplights are out of synch for the next few weeks. It'll feel like jetlag or worse.
Hi Jena,
Great way of explaining how you approach the classroom. Your students I am sure feel supported, comfortable and engaged in your classes. You are a part of their future and by helping them see the vision they will stay in enrolled and reach their career goal.
Gary
The learning environment is crucial to the success of the students. I like to make the setting very interactive, and frequently have the students work in small groups to achieve a consenus on the materials and then present thier conclusions to the rest of the class.
The learning environment is one of the keys to effective student learning. For many career college students, attending classes at our schools may be the one constant in their lives. It is important to understand that adults seek out education in times of life change. For our students, "life is happening". In creating a comfortable, welcoming, and non-threatening learning environment, we allow students to lower their individual threat level, which facilitates more effective, open learning. I agree that there is only so much we as instructors can do regarding the physical classroom, but there are a million ways that instructors can set the academic rigor high, and still show students that "we care".
Hi Misty,
You are right about setting the tone for the environment. It is amazing how making a minor change in the setting can have a major impact.
Gary
The learning environment plays a large role in the instructional process. To optimize learning, the environment must be comfortable, and include any necessary equipment and supplies. Sometimes something as simple as rearranging the chairs into a circle or small groups can enhance things like group discussion.
Hi Steve,
Well said about how to develop a class. The big plus to this is that this developmental work also helps you to keep your excitement about the course and how to deliver it.
Gary
The roles that the learning environment plays in the instructional process include coming to class with a well-thought out plan for the day,which includes a solid lecture,class participation,and a positive attitude.One way to create a leaning environment that enhances learning is to adapt to each individual class as unique,with their own needs,talents,and challenges.
Hi Edward,
What are some methods you use to adapt to group and or individual needs as they emerge? What are your target points when making your learning needs assessments?
Gary
A well controlled learning environment will allow feedback to tweak it as you go along and thus maintain a rapport between instructor and students alike. Adapting to group and individual needs in an ongoing fashion can freshen the experiance for all involved. Changing seating arrangements,using unique visual aids, etc.can go a long way by doing little by little day by day, (Theory of a Dead Man),a lot could be gained.
Smokers/jokers that don't dispose of their butts properly will have their butts disposed of properly with the campus wide smoking ban! They need to take heed and not feed the greed of such an inconsiderate habit!
Hi Alexander,
Great points about the learning environment. A clean orderly classroom or lab that displays student work helps other students to get motivated about what they are going to learn in the coming weeks.
Gary
Two to go to two down in 2009! WOW and how time goes!
The learnng enviroment (the classroom and lab areas)needs to stimulate the learners mind in such a way as to open them up for the learning process. The enviroment should stimulate a natural curiosity within the learners mind to motivate them into learning the subejects I am presenting. With various charts, pictures or learning aids, we strive to accomplish this in order to maximize the instructional process.
