The environment should be conducive to what you are teaching. If it is Nursing, then materials pertaining to nursing should be in the classroom. If its A&P, then a skeleton and muscles should be present. There should be adequate temperature and lighting as well.
This is a great idea. Even though the problem is not your fault, you are proactively addressing it by visiting classrooms in advance.
LaShondra,
Yes, it does have an impact on students. We need to see our classrooms and labs through the eyes of our students and then make any changes needed to give them a supportive learning environment.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I teach health related classes. The class has diagrams of organs, muscles, skin, brain, etc. Students utilize these daily for a better understanding of how the body works.
I have notice that the less messy the class,the more calm the students. The the learning environment plays a great effect on the students learning. The student are focused.
Phillip,
Passion for the field and enthusiasm for teaching about it goes a long way in helping "sell" the course to the students. Excitement is catching so have fun sharing it.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree completely. Most of us love what we do and that passion for it is shared by students who want to learn. I feel that preparing the students for the real world is essential for success.
Kim,
I think this is so important because their transition will be much easier to the workplace if they have already encountered what it is like while students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I teach at an automotive technical college and would like the environment to reflect what my students will be seeing as they enter the job market.
Kola,
I think this is a great idea. By having them attend advisory meetings they get to met and listen to professionals from their field. This increases the value of the course content in their minds as well as gives them exposure to individuals that they might not encounter so early in their careers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
That is very true, Dr. Meers. In fact, at times, we invite students to some of our advisory board meetings so they can meet actual practitioners. Many times, through discussions with members, styudents are able to tie what they are learning in the classroom to actual applications in industry.
The learning environment sets the tone of the way the student would perceive the instructor, the content and the delivery. When a learning environment is uninviting or the instructor seems unprepared (e.g. no marker to write on the board, faulty projector or desktop, non-operational equipment), many students are immediately put off. The instructor's role is to motivate rather than discourage.
Angela,
These real world experiences are great. This is a wonderful opportunity for your see the relevancy of what is being taught and how to apply course content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Angela,
The more you can do this the better. When you set up a mock clinic you are showing your students the world they are preparing to enter. This will help to reinforce to them that they have made the right decision about their career or will show them that they need to explore other options.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I'm a medical assistant instructor that works at clinic on the weekends and I take my students the clinic the last friday of every month to work on patients in the clinic.
I sometimes set my lab up like a mock clinic, I get students from other programs, and I take my students to health fairs.
Students need a positive atmosphere. The class should be comfortable temperature, well lighting. and they should feel sdafe.
Georgina,
Yes it should. This way the students will see the work environment they are moving into and can decide if this is the career choice for them or if they need to rethink their decision.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Joselyn,
Thank you for these good points about the value of having a positive and supportive learning environment. It is such important part of the over all respect that students have for their college, program, and the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sue,
This is a tough teaching situation but I commend you for the strategy you are using and that you are keeping a positive attitude even when faced with the equipment you have. I am sure your professionalism will overcome the equipment in terms of the respect of your students as you teach under these conditions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
