David,
This is a great way to start a course off and get everyone settled in. This starts the earning of respect by the students because they can see you are there to help them move closer to their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Jean,
Right you are as the environment helps to direct their thinking and attitude toward the content that is being offered.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Any time you can apply real world experience to your classroom is key. Bringing in guest speakers, going to a site for on-the job shadowing, watching a video, all create and exciting learning environment for students.
The learning environment is vital for both instructors and students. For example, a classroom that has a very cold climate during the winter could possibly interfere with learning. In a computer lab, for instance, if the computers are not working or are damaged because someone spilled a beverage, this could impose an obstacle to student learning. Additionally, an instructor must be positive and accessible so that students are motivated to respond to questions and to pose their own questions.
While participating in the program that I am now instructing, I appreciated the quiet learning environment. However, practicing at the bench, I realized the real world environment was not as serene. My performance as a worker dipped as I coped with the small distractions of the real world work environment.
Making my students feel comfortable the minute they walk in the door is very important to me. The course is an introduction to audio recording, specifically in the music business environment. I arrive at least 15 minutes early to the classroom and immediately put on a record at a moderate volume.
Students that know the record walk in and their ears perk up and smiles come across their faces. For the students that don't know the record it's an easy way into a conversation using vocabulary we have previously discussed in class. It leads to a natural segue into the new weekly topic of discussion.
The environment that you create in your classroom can make or break some student's education. We try to have colorful posters on the walls, realistic anatomical models for the students to look, feel, and pull apart so that the can see the organs in 3D. Then go into the clinical lab and learn clinical skills based on the lecture that they just had. It really helps the student to reinforce the learning. Videos can also help.
Glenn,
Good examples to share with others so reinforce how important a supportive learning environment really is for students. We need to see the classroom/lab through their eyes and then make adjustments to assist the learning process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The learning enviroment is very important in the instructional process. Here are a few example I have seen where the learning enviroment has had a negative effect on students.
Temperature fluctuating from hot to cold. We had a problem with our heating system and this caused such a distraction that many students focused on this rather than the subject matter being discussed. Another problem is noise from programs that are in labs distracting those whose programs are still in lecture. These type of distraction can cause students, and instructors, to focus their efforts more on the distraction rather than their education.
Learning has a lot of intrinsic and extrinsic things going on at the same time. The atmosphere, tone, ambiance and comfort of the physical surrounding are just as important as how a student perceives other students, their teacher etc. It's very important to ensure that that we consider each learning intersection in correlation to the environment. How do we effectively get an idea across and where and how best can it be communicated? Lab, classroom, field trip, guest speaker etc.
William,
So powerful and so important. Students need to have exposure to the world they are preparing to enter. Field trips and guest speakers help to "sell" the course content to the students as well as get them motivated. I like also that the employers are candid with the students. I tell my students what the employers are looking for and some hear me and some don't. When an employer says the same think it really sinks in and the students start to see why I am teaching what I am.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Theodore,
That is my preferred seating arrangement as well. I like how it lets the students be on the front row, since there is only one row, and so there is no hiding from me when we are having discussions or Q&A sessions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I enjoy the lab hands on aspect to my course that i teach. I like to take my students out on field trips once a term. This helps to keep them ecxited and keeps the mental thoughs pattern thinking. Usually this field trip is a trade related open house where they can see the products in use demonstrated.
We often try to have a couple of bussiness owners on there own time come in and explain how they got started and what they look for in a future employee. This is extremely benificial to the students in the program, so they can understand what is expected of them on a daily basis.They start with attendance, then hygene, then manners and neatness. They are surprised that they haven't talked about training? Well that comes after they decide if the person is worth employing. They learn a vauluble lesson before they interview. These are the real world questions that employers want to know before they ask you about experience and training. It usually shocks alot of people when the speaker leaves the podium when he is done with his assesment of the audience and tells then that 4 or 5 students might make it to thier license. Real world lessons inside the classroom.
Learning Environment can prepare and inspire the student for real life experiences.
I like the class room to be strucutured in a U shape so the instructor can be in the center. The standard rows are very uninviting to the students and for instruction
Francine,
Good points about the value of having a supportive environment that will enable students to focus on their learning and not be distracted by the environment. This keeps them engaged and forward focused.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The learning environment should be set up so that all students feel comfortable in their surroundings. They should be able to see the instructor, have proper table/chairs placed strategically so they can see the board. If using a projector or computer lesson the sound should be adequate for all learners. Lighting and room set up are important. If in a lab situation, all supplies should be laid out or accessible for all students to use and participate in learning. All environments should be safe for all students to work and learn at.
Genea,
Like your last sentence in terms of what you want to do with your students. If you do have them relaxed, reassured and confident you are going to have a group of students that are going to be engaged and focused.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I feel that the learning enviroment is one of the most important tools in success. if they feel overwhelmed or stressed out , they are more likely to miss class or just stop coming all together. I try my best to keep them relaxed, reassured and confident in themselves.
Dina,
Openings like this are much like fishing. You are chumming the water in order to get the attention of the students and help get them engaged in the learning process to come. These are fun activities and the students start to look forward to them each time the class meets.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
