The learning environment is critically important to how was is able to be effectively taught. It would be difficult to learn anything with constant distraction like being next to a busy railroad. Also, having the appropriate supplies to help aid the students will dramatically increase thier ability to retain the knowledge. It's one thing to hear and read about something, but to experience it is much more effective. One learns best by using multiple senses, audio, visual, touch. It all comes together to make the most effective learning environment.
Hi Diana,
This is a good point that instructors need to remember. The more relevancy and application they can show the greater the content retention is going to be. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Gary
It's very important. When you walk into a room, you can usually tell if it's going to be a learning EXPERIENCE or just another class.
If an instructor can show how the material can be applied in every day life the student will be able to retain and apply the knowledge much easier. The student can then ask questions relevant to their experiences also. Those are the times when as an instructor you get teaching moments.
I think it has everything to do with the instructional process. For instance a pharmacy lab can enhance the process of learning for a student taking that course where a lecture classroom would just leave the student lacking.
Sometimes you need smaller classrooms to teach certain classes where as some classes would work fine in a lecture hall.
You can't very well teach keyboarding classes or computer classes in a lecture hall or a room with no computers.
The classroom needs to be set up to meet both the course and the student needs. For instance, I use a white board in every course, I could not teach accounting in a lecture hall with just powerpoints and me talking; that would not benefit the student's learning.
Hi Jeremy,
Right you are about the need for a supportive and comfortable learning environment. If the students have such then they can concentrate on the course and not the surroundings.
Gary
A person at ease or just generally comfortable with their surroundings is more likely to not only retain information but also participate in things like class discussions.
The Learning environment has a big effect on how the student will react to the instructor and if they allow the learning process to take place.
The student needs to be motivated to learn and a positve exciting learning environment allows for this to take place.
A learning environment that actively enagaes the student is so important. Class participation and group projects can help the student to be actively involved. Student are more receptive to the instructional process when they are a part of it. This can be accomplished through a positve learning enviroment.
Adult students face many challenges when returning to school. They need to feel accepted by classmates and instructors. College classrooms are very diverse and have the Baby Boomers, GEN X, and GEN Y.
Baby Boomers often feel less intelligent when it comes to technology and the more advanced GEN X AND GEN Y are digital natives.
I tend to help the adult student become more familiar with the use technology and how it impacts the learning process.
Hello Maurine, I usually find out when the classroom is closed and I go in as if I was preparing for a class lecture. I make sure everything is in working order, make sure the software is compatible and take notes of the things I am missing and will need for the real lecture. I agree that one needs a plan B because even technology has flaws.
thanks
estevan arredondo
The learning environment is tremendously important. The challenge to the instuctor is to make each student feel comfortable. And this is a challenge because other students are a huge influence on each individual. I try to make sure that each student is "seen." That is, I want them to know that they are not just another student to me. Some students need more encouragement than others. I try to have a relaxed, but professional classroom.
Hi Shawn,
I like to use case studies and problem situations in my teaching as well. These activities really engage the students and increase their excitement about the field. In addition, the point about giving them additional examples of how to deal with situations that they will encounter in their careers is a good one. The more content and examples they have to fall back on the better prepared they will be.
Gary
Hi Lori,
Your comments are right on in terms of presenting challenges for instructors. The college must provide resources that reflect the fields that are being studied and supports that help students learn. When these things are missing a void is created for the students.
Gary
The learning environment sets the stage--all participants must be comfortable. The environment should be set up to work well with class activities.
I must concur. I often give my students realistic challenges to show them what it's going to be like when they graduate and find a job in their field of study. It's just one more way we instructors have to prepare our students for the real-world and give them some insight to what it could be like out there. At the very least, they could have worse-case sceanarios in labs and be prepared for them in real life.
It enhances or detracts - having a computer lab is very helpful, but if the computers don't work or are outdated, software is "hinky", and the internet won't stay connected or is unreliable, you have an environment that detracts from the instructional process. Surely, having what you need to instruct when you need it is one key to having a good learning environment. However, environmental forces can also add or detract - working in a well-equipped classroom with all the bells and whistles that is freezing cold or uncomfortably hot can really impede the instructional process.
The environment should be as realistic as possible so as not to create false expectations
Hi Tim,
Good comments about how to create a connection between the instructor and students. Knowing they have the support of their instructor is critical for students as they move through their educational program. The stronger the connection the greater the rapport is going to be. This is a win win for everyone.
Gary
The learning environment must cultivate a mutual respect between a student and instructor in order to enhance the instructional process. I survey my student at the beginning of each term to ask how each one feels they learn best about different school subjects and what type of learner are they. It's important to have some of them verbally answer this statement so that other students find a common ground with their peers and understand that each person learns in different ways. Then the challenge becomes the instructor's ability to cater to these different learning styles throughout the course. When students notice this effort by the instructor, I believe they feel more appreciative of being part of the class.
Also, students must know how willing you are to meet them half way especially when they struggle with content areas or have low self-esteem about learning something new. Keeping the lines of communication open with them is so important. Encouragement must be ongoing. If students put walls up of not willing to learn or not communicating attendance issues with you, you have to remind them that it is important to meet you half way or you can consider working through their peers to persuade them meet with you.
It can help remove outside stimuli by silencing cells phones, thereby allowing for greater concentration on the topic. Naturally, the environment needs to be quiet, clear and free from distractions.
