As a vocational school we have class rooms and lab areas that have been designed to facilitate the course material for each course. The class room may be used by up to three class each day but some student projects may be displayed on the walls for all classes. All of the classes using the room are in the same course. The learning invironment in the class room should be inclusive of everything from professionalism in student behavior and dress, punctuality and participation. The Instructors professionalism, class room and lab equipment cleanliness and functionality and course material applicability are all aspects of the total learning experience.
A positive learning environment promotes learning, sharing, personal growth. The environment can be adapted by arranging the desks, chairs or tables so that everyone can see the board or screen, so that they are relaxed, and so that they want to participate in the discussion. This will maximize the instructional process.
I agree! The use of training aids gives the students a real hands on experience. often, the concepts of what I cover (collision repair)is new to my students. Even with pictures and videos, many people don't get a grasp until they can literally get a grasp - and get a hold of the physical parts we are dicussing.
Hi William,
Good idea. Students can see what they are going to be working with up close and personal. This helps them get invested in the up coming class.
Gary
I like to put out training aids on students tables before class and when they arrive I give them a few minutes to research the items and then we have a discussion about the items
Hi Mohan,
Helping to develop the total person ready for career success must be a part of your educational plan. You are right about needing to help them see how a professional functions in their career field.
Gary
The career students are effectively 'career seeking adults'. They are to be looked upon as professionals and as such they expect professional treatments.The class room and lab evironment has to reflect this attitude.This is my biggest challenge.
Hi Mohan,
Great way to start and new class. You are creating a very strong professional image with your classroom environment.
What do you see as being the biggest challenges you face with your career students?
Gary
The class room and the lab enviornment should be most welcoming to the students, not only on the first day but every day through the course. It produces a physically and mentally conducive class room and lab for learning. I arrnge the desks and chairs in a rectangular manner to give them a feeling that this is not a high school type learning environment, but one in which the students become participants of a month long coference to educate peoples who seek to be professionals. In this arrangement I, being seated at the head of this rectangular seating, becomes the leader. I usually have the relevent topic projected on the wall using the power point, so that the moment they walk into the room they get the feeling that they are in business.
Hi Ahmad,
By being aware of how you can influence learning through a positive environment you will be able to establish a setting that will keep the students focused and engaged in learning.
Gary
To enhance the student's attention and focus on leaning a comfortable and supportive learning environment is necessry..
By changing the seating rows, and adding more supplemental materials, and encouraging peer discussion , I can improve and increase learning
Learning environment is the most important part of a successful teaching. A positive and friendly environment foster the learning and achieving the course objectives.
Hi Josefina,
Well said. Everything has to be planned and in place if the class is going to be successful. This is why being onsite and preparing the class/lab is a must. This way you the instructor will not be thrown off your game by not having something ready. There are enough challenges with teaching as it is without throwing lack of preparation into the mix.
Gary
That is a good point. I agree that the classroom must be a comfortable place so that learning can be effective. I also think that if the instructor remains approachable the students will become more at ease and it will make a difference in their academic achievements.
Well the learning environment plays a role in the instructional process because the instructor must make sure that all the supplies and materials needed are there. The instructor must also do a walk-through before class starts so that he/she can see through the students perspective. In addition, the instructor must make sure that all machinery works before the class starts. If any one of these elements are missing then the class may get chaotic. Therefore the institution and the instructor may seem unprofessional.
I think the learning environment is very important. It really sets the tone for what the students are perceptive to. If they feel welcome and accepted, I think there would be less of a tendency to put up "barriers" and be able to focus more on what's being presented.
Hi Russell,
You have shared a very comprehensive picture of how instruction should be delivered and the reasons why. These methods I know will lead to learning success on the part of your students.
Gary
The learning enviroment has a lot to do with the instructional process. It must be positive the insructor must be prepared and confortable with the subject material. The classroom and lab must be organized.
The learning enviroment is very inportant.
Just like any thing else in life, it must fit the course.
If the student is expecting to learn how to drive a car, you should have a car for them to drive.
Common signs of the road posted in the class room and the nessary books to teach.
This may be over simplifing, but it describes what I mean.
Their is more than just the physical aspects of the learning enviroment, their is the emotional or attitude of the instructor that sets the tone/ atmospher in witch the course will be conducted.
How the students respond to the instructors presents will effect the learning enviroment.
It is the instructors responsability to creat a positive learning enviroment.
Hi Claudia,
Yes the learning environment is important to the total learning process. As you mention what appears to be simple such lighting, seating, etc. can make a major difference to the students.
Gary
