The learning environment needs to allow the student to focus on the course content being delivered. It should be as free from distractions as possible. In the case of vacational courses, the classroom environment should mimic the actual working enviroment as much as possible.
Hi Julie,
I teach in the same type of setting. I have a "blah" classroom so I put my students into groups and have them draw key components in cartoon style on flip chart paper (I have a big bag of wide tipped colored markers). I post these around the room (they have an adhesive on the back) so I can refer to them through out the class. I take the papers down and save them until the next class. I use these papers until we have covered the topic. Then we make new ones and use them. This way we have activity, color and reference in our classroom and I don't have to worry about another instructor being upset with how I left the classroom.
I don't do this every class meeting because this format doesn't fit every class but I do use it frequently to reinforce the students learning and give color to the setting.
Gary
I really believe in this component, but I am an adjunct instructor teaching in a classroom that is shared with many other instructors (teaching different topics) throughout the week, so it is hard to make the environment specific to my field - the space is pretty generic - any ideas?
I see a lot of answers like 'it should be supportive and friendly but also true to the real world of the field they are getting in to.' In some ways it feels like a contradiction so I think balancing these two factors are really tough.
Hi Jamie,
Right you are. All instructors need to be aware of the "ripple" effect because it can really derail the class quickly. This is what class management is all about. Keeping the class forward focused and moving toward the end goal of acquired knowledge and skills.
Gary
A learning environment plays a huge part in how a studnet learns. If a student has other things around them happening they will and can loose focus on what they ar ethere for.
A hands on learning environment is what it's all about. I see so much joy in my students faces when they get to physically perform what they will be doing out there in thier choosen career. It makes me feel good.
The learning environment is critical to the instructional process because it is the foundation of learning subject material. It should emulate as closesly as possible the "real world".
The classroom should also not be disruptive to the learning process as well...ie students talking while the instructor is lecturing. When it becomes disruptive no one wins. Students have a difficult time paying attention to the material that is being taught and may not "get it". This then slows the class down. You will see its ripple effects in poor content comprehension, quiz results etc.
As many have posted, in an occupational based education it is important to make the environment as close to real life as possible. This provides an accurate idea of what the new career will be; which can be used to create excitement in the student about their chosen profession. Having a real life environment also helps the student when they go into an extern setting to have a level of comfort and not be so nervous. This in turn will allow them to perform better.
Learning environment should be in such as way that it prepares and enables the student to work with confidence in the field.
In addition to learning theories, it is always good to have exercises, or skits to play out possible real life scenarios in order to make the learning environment as close as possible to what they could face in the field.
Tell lots of jokes...keep your students smiling!
A comfortable and well kept learning environment is important, this keeps the students able to focus on the tasks at hand and gives the instructors the oportunity to focus on the subject being taught.
I think the learning environment serves as the foundation for the students to see the process as it was intended. There will always be hiccups and little bumps to throw them off course, but seeing how it is supposed work should be what the students learn. Once they see that, then they can use their own "problem solving process" to work through those hiccups and bumps in the road.
The learning environment should be well organized by the instructor. A well organized, well prepared instructor will be more effective in teaching the materials and ready for any questions that may arise. A well organized environment may help to create less distraction for the students, thus allowing them to focus on what is being taught and a better learning environment.
The role it plays is important to the students ability to stay interested.
Hi Rochelle,
This is part of the "connecting of the dots" from the classroom to the real world. If students aren't comfortable in such a setting it is for sure they won't be in a real hospital setting.
Gary
it is very important for example my students will be in a hospital setting so we spend have our time in a lab so they will feel like they are working in the hospital
The learning environment can have a huge positive or negative affect on both the instructional delivery process and the students level of learning. If there is a lot of noise coming from outside the classroom, it can distract both the instructor and the students. If the classroom is crowded, stuffy and either too hot or too cold, it will tend to make the students uncomfortable and move the focus of their thinking from the topic at hand. If you are teaching computer skills, you should be in a computer lab.
Bill
I agree with others who express the need for the learning environment to reflect attributes of the work environment for the component of the curriculum being taught. However, establishing such an environment in a Virtual Classroom can be a challenge. Here, I think the “tone†of delivery becomes important. I teach project management, and there’s only so much you can do with PowerPoint slides and other Virtual Classroom delivery capabilities, so how these capabilities are employed becomes important. I think in this learning environment, especially at the graduate level, the professional demeanor of the instructor during synchronous delivery in Live Chats, starting and ending Live Chats on time, promptness of professionally written responses to email, promptness and quality of assignment evaluations, provision of supplemental professional materials, and quality of one-on-one support must make up for aspects of the physical classroom. In this context, I think the role of the learning environment plays to instill a professional attitude toward the subject matter. I would be very interested in others’ views of this topic as it relates to teaching in a Virtual Classroom.
