the environment has a lot to do with the sucess of the course. You should have training aids available, pictures on the wall of the items you are covering, hand outs to give the students. this will put your students in the correct mind frame.
Ditto to being prepared. I always have a copy of my written notes on hand. I learned very early that it doesn't take much for power point to go wrong- power sources, projectors, etc... With notes in hand you can easily transition to using the board.
Hi Dale,
Well said. As you know an instructor has to be flexible and have a back up plan B, C, or maybe even Z when it comes to delivering instructional content. As you say some days it just doesn't go smoothly.
Keep up the good work. I know your students appreciate your efforts.
Gary
Since most of the courses I teach require a student PowerPoint presentations, I utilize "be prepared and adaptable" as a key part of the course. Preparing students to apply what they've learned in real-life situations in business requires one to be prepared and ready to adapt. Anyone who has given a number of presentations in a variety of settings knows that things don't always go smoothly.
Some of the classrooms in which I teach are not well-suited to giving electronic presentations. Showing students how to adapt to less-than-desirable conditions by being prepared in one of the learning objectives in each course I teach.
The role of learning environment in the instructional process determines the learners needs in conveying what was learned during discussions that are presented in the class. The ways that instructional process can be adapted to learning environment is by allowing the instructor and the students to work together as a team and create a relationship that enhance or tailored to the subject that is taught.
I have had issues with the A/C system being to cold. Students don't pay attention when their cold.
The room should be comfortable for the students. You don't want the to be distracted by noise, temperature problems, lighting, etc...It is also important to have your materials and teaching aides reading so they do not loose focus watching you stumble around setting things up. The environment can be adapted for learning by proper planning and preparation. More specifically, make sure everything is functional and up and running before class is to start. Tools and aides can be utilized effectively but should be prepared in advance. Barb
Learning environment has a major influence on how a student will what to learn. Example learning would/could be hinder just by having poor lighting or heating with in a classroom.Student's focus could be more concern with how cold a room is, vice listening to an instructor.
Maximize the instructional process by trying to ensure a comfortable climate,proper lighting, audio,and visual training equipment fully operational.Have ample support supplies on hand.Training aids are functional,with proper instructional manuals on hand.The list could be endless.
The enviroment is critical to learning, if it is too hot or cold, uncomfortable, noisy it makes it difficult to learn. The enviroment should be checked and evaluated for noise,light , temperature and equipment to suit the subject taught.
Rearrange the room if necessary to make the enviroment as comfortable as possible. Also look thru the "students eyes" to see if there can be any other improvements to the layout conducive to learning.
Hi Laura
Making students feel comfortable on the first day of class is important. I see adult learners who are professionals who decide to come back to school for degree completion and they are very afraid of the technology requirements or the seemingly simple task of writing a paper correctly. I love to teach the new students because I can put them at ease by greeting them each as they come in and "hold their hand" so to speak as we go through the course syllabus. It is very rewarding to see the change in confidence levels after several weeks. It takes patience and flexibility in presentation of materials. I try to have all of the lights on (my classes are at night!) and if using powerpoint slides, they are bright in color. Posters of the topics covered all also helpful in the environment. I also like to bring some of the textbooks and suppplemental materials for students to look at during the break.
I think most people in this post on learning environments have covered the most important topics. A warm friendly environment that supports the learning styles of all the students. Bright, comfortable, alive with training aids and posters or wall painting. The only thing I would add is if the course is longer than a day do not over look the WOW factor. Have an activity or demonstration or poster or change the seating something that has the students saying WOW! We are going to learn that, do that, keep them guessing and hopefully focused. Try and keep them out of that state of mind that this is going to be another day of boring education.
It is key that the learning environment eliminate all distractions to learning. At the same time a warm environment created by the instructor is essential. You can have the most inviting classroom setup only to have it ruined by an univiting attitude.
One thing I like to do is to put myself in the students position. Is the environment comfortable? If I am not comfortable in this class setting How could they be? Then I ask myself, what can be done to improve it? Or I ask the students what they think would make it a more confortable and learning friendly environment.
Some of the ways the enviornment for learning can be conditioned is to have displays or cut aways of some of the equipment you will be training on. Additional ideas would be to hang posters that are appropriate for the particular class in the room at the time.
One must not overlook the learning environment. We should strive to create an environment that enchances learning.
I learned a long time ago that "buildings don't teach, people do". This old addage is still true today. With preparation, skill and a bit of experience classes can be taught in any enviornment or situation. An air conditioned classroom and a comfortable chair are not always the best situations for a learning experience. In the technical trades, tactile learners are better off with a hands on approach to the job of learning. Give these people the time, caring and instruction necessary to accomplish the tasks at hand and they do not care about the physical location they are in. Some learners can apply easily the things they read. Others though have a very hard time with words, phrases and concepts. Given the opportunity and the resources each student will take with him a better understanding and a feeling of accomplishment upon completion of the course of study.
having a well lit room all the props a bord to write on.
bring in what every is needed.
Hi Laura,
Well said. By showing you care you get a return from the students plus you establish rapport at a level that enables you to really reach the students.
Gary
I believe a comfortable, clean, and well organized classroom is the key. As well as a motivated instructor.
Everything should be very accessable,operable, and prepared prior to the beginning of each class.
