I'm instructing in Interpersonal Relations and the learners represent a very wide range of intellect and experience. I've found that a safe, supportive and respectful climate has been the most important aspect to allow learning of this highly subjective topic.
In teaching, as in art: context is everything.
The learning environment plays an important role and of course depends on the course being taught. i.e., clinical, music, computers.
Definitely students need to be able to relate their learning to either present or future workplaces whether it be an office w/computers, hospital, or music industry. If only lecture occurs and students are forced to "imagine what it would be like," that's not near as effective.
I think this plays a huge role in what students will learn and what ultimately they will retain. If there are too many distractions in the classroom students will lose focus. They will not retain the information being presented as well as they would if it were a calm and quiet setting with few distractions.
The learning environment is very important. If the classroom is uncomfortable (too hot or too cold), crowded, noisy, not sufficient lighting, etc. all have an impact on students ability to learn.
Our environments contribute to how we feel and we experience life. Our learning environment needs to be supportive of a student's motivation & inspiration yet also provide true to life example of their future work environments. The practical student clinics are a great place for students to get acclimated to the professional massage environment and a clean & cheerful theory room is great for keeping students alert & positive. Most people need a healthy sense of personal boundary space as well. Cramped quarters aren't the best learning environments.
Hi Brian,
Keeping faith in the students is critical. They know you believe that they can be successful if they will put forth the effort. This is very important for continued motivation of the students.
Gary
The learning enviroment plays a major role in learning because if a student isn't comfortable in the environment the learn process is hindered. They need to be put into surroundings that create comfort and a good flow of information to help them hear and see what the teacher and other students thoughts and opinions are.
The larning environement plays a major role becaue you should provide a positive, comfortable atmosphere because student learn better when they do not have other distractions and like where there at.
Running a culinary foundations class it is very important that we replicate as best as possible a real world feeling in the kitchen. One advantage is the use of technology, not just in kitchen equipement but in the use of computer tech as well, keeping the student engaged at there stations. Although, as an instructor, I need to realize that these are students learning the trade and that they are not up to speed with the pace of a kitchen. With the correct amount of guidance and the use of the tech, they will be successful.
The learning enviroment effect has a strong influence on the ability for a student to learn. When an enviroment is not open for collaboration, Q & A, input from students and discussion at times students may feel as if the Learning Enviroment is not open. We need to have a comfortable enviroment for the students so they feel relaxed and have the ability to learn. An enviroment in the classroom should facilite learning not hender the process.
Hi Darling,
This is what being a good instructor is all about. "Seeing the big picture". You are looking at all aspects of the instructional environment and this helps you to make sure you are planning in such a way that you will be meeting the needs of your students.
Gary
The learning environment play a key role in the instructional process in the since that both students and teacher have to feel safe in order to be able to teach effectively and learn effectively. As an instructor an unsafe environment, unorganized environment can be very detrimental to the teaching and learning process. As an instructor I tried to get to class before the students so that I can arrange it a certain way, set up what is needed, if it is skill labs, make sure that all the materials that I need are there, if it is a clinical area such as the hospital, I get there early so that I know my way around, staff, supplies availability so that I can be competent, and by being competent and organized that will set a good tone with the students.
A lot I go aroudn the room to make sure all the chairs are comfortable and lightting is adequate.
Hi John,
You make a very good point about how to establish a supportive and positive learning environment online. The environment revolves around you and how you put together your approach to student learning.
Gary
This is a unique factor for me as I teach entirely online. So the environment is mostly in the sense of how I approach my students interactions in the dialogues. How I respond to emails and questions. In some of my classes I can write my own content in these I try to create an environment through the type of assignments and lectures that I post.
John
This is a question I struggle with. The learning plant is something I never really had much control over -- as an online instructor, or even a classroom instructor -- because I have had little controls over the variables.
The learning environment should be the main focus of the course, because its where you will learn all the knowledge and skills needed for the profession.
If the students and the instructor are not in a well laid out learning environment there could be a lot of problems with the students paying attention and, probably, with the instructor teaching. If the classroom does not have all the equipment needed or supplies, that subject will not be covered completely to help the student learn. The room needs to be well lighted and comfortable so the students and instructor feel comfortable and can focus more on the class.
The learning environment not only sets the tone for the class it supports the activities for the instructional process. If the environment is less than ideal it can be a challenge.
