Hi Mary Anne,
This is a good point that students need to be reminded of throughout their training. They need to see through the eyes of their patients what is occurring during the time they are with them. This will help them to keep the "human factor" in their profession. Thanks for this reminder.
Gary
I've had online classes and I do like it when my instructor post responses in a timely manner. At first I was not comfortable with this manner of learning but as time went by and I had more classes I started liking it. Most instructors/facilitators are up to date with their responses and this makes the class more responsive and active.
That is true that no clinical setting is the same. This is why students have different areas they will be assigned to for their clinical experience to practice and be exposed to. In nursing, we have different areas nursing students are assigned to practice learned theories. And of course all situations are not alike, however, disease entity is all the same. The difference comes in on how patients get treated individually.
I believe that having the students experience and go to the real setting will make them feel comfortable, familiar to what they will be heading to and at least give them idea how it feels to be there. This will take out some of their fears and will answer their questions and expectations on how it is like to be in the real setting.
Hi Nichole,
Sounds like my two evening/night classes. (They run from 4 until 10) They are very different from each other even though the requirements for the course are the same. This is what makes teaching so exciting because we such diverse students and personalities based upon days of the week and times of day.
Sounds like you are having a lot of fun with your students and enjoying meeting their unique learning needs.
Gary
I have found that it is one of the most important aspects to teaching and learning in my classroom. I have two classes this quarter-one on Monday morning at 7:50am and one on Friday morning at 9am.
First, I have noticed that there are completely different environments in each class due to the day of the week and the time of day. The Monday morning class is much more organized, quiet, and professional. The Friday class is a lot more casual but more social.
Second, the dynamics of the classes are also very different due to various personalities. I have learned to adapt my instruction to meet the unique needs of each class due to their very different learning environments. For example, I need to be more "on-the-ball", detailed, and focused on Monday while I can be a lot more relaxed and have an "anything goes" kind of attitude on Friday.
it effects the students perception of what they'll get out of my class
Hi Sean,
Good suggestion. This is taking the class to the setting when the setting can't be created. The students really respond to going out into the field and experiencing first hand the world they soon will be entering.
Gary
THE environment in which the student is participating directly effects and affects the student. Lighting,temperature extremes , and noise seem to 'Defocus)" their attention span of 15-18 minutes.
Several posts have said the classroom environment should mirror the real world setting. This can be difficult in a business class. However, in that case one could take the class to an actual business to illustrate real life application of what they are learning.
I agree that the learning environment is important to student learning and when possible the learning environment should be as close to the actual environment that the student will be expected to work.
I have worked in clinical settings with student nurses and have observed chaos going on around them. It occurs to me at these times that it must be hard for the student to learn. But then I think about the real world that the student will eventually be working and realize that in order to concentrate on medication pass or any other tasks associated with nursing the student must be able to block out what is not essential.
The question could also be interpreted to mean that the classroom setting should be comfortable and the student should be provided with frequent quick breaks to allow the student to stretch or to take care of other bodily functions.
I think students expectations of the real world should be addressed and mimicking the real world may be slightly uncomfortable in the classroom (at first). However, the experience will help them be more comfortable by giving them some sort of script to follow. Thus, creating an environment that is conducive to learning.
A Huge one. Students are inducive to their learning environment. The training aids, the classroom, the lab, and the instructor presentation should support the lesson.
The learning environment plays a critical role in the instructional process.I think students learn better in a relaxed and non-intimidating environment. This reduces the stress of learning new concepts/material, and builds the foundation for a successful student /teacher relationship. As a former student, I remember all the great instructors who made me feel comfortable and confident in their classrooms. I try to convey this same compassion to my students with my instructional style.
Hi All,
The learning environment is an essential part of the learning platform. If we can get the environment set to the point that it is supportive and not distracting then we can get the students to focus on the course and what is occurring inside of the environment rather that being upset by the environment due to lighting, temperature, etc..
Thanks for all of your comments about how the environment impacts your own instructional settings.
Gary
Hi Ethan,
I to taught in an inner city school where the smell of danger and fear was everywhere throughout the building. I had great kids but it was a challenge to teach them anything because many of them didn't know if they would make it home that afternoon. We lost a number of our kids to shootings every year.
I can appreciate your comments about the setting that you are in currently. It is amazing how much a person can learn when they feel safe and respected for who they are and what they can contribute to the class.
Gary
My ultimate goal is to have learning environment where students can feel safe and engage with material and resources that support and active learning environment. Once the room is set up the instructional process will follow.
The role that the learning environment play in the instructional process is pivotal. If the learning environment is not effective, the instruction in class may not be accessible to students. For instance, I taught middle school fo many years...needless to say, maintaining a positive learning environment was always a challenge. What I found as a middle school teacher is a positive learning environment can be achieved by 'noticing' all students individually. This is why I welcome all my students even in online classes individually. Also, by being consistent. For example, always grading certain items one certain days. This builds a sense of security with the students. When I implement these in the online course i teach, I notice that students are more successful as well as they feel recognized and safe. These affective qualities that are the product of a learning environment allow the student to focus more clearly on the instruction and have success rather than feeling invisible and unsure.
I think it plays a large role. I have taught at both severely under-privileged schools in Milwaukee and am currently teaching at a nice college in Wausau. While there are certainly additional factors in regards to the contrast of these two schools, the learning environment was one of uneasiness and fear in Milwaukee which made it very difficult to focus on subject materials.
