Hi Diana,
I agree with you. I like things like that in my classroom because they reinforce my verbal content and ties visual learning into the total educational process. Sorry to hear about the new rules.
Gary
The learning environment must be condusive to learning and working. I believe that you want to make the learning environment as much like the real world as possible yet student and instructors need to realize that they are not in the real world, it is an educational learning environment.
I believe it should represent or reflect as much real life/career related as possible. I try to bring in speakers in the field related to each course as well as setting up tours out in the field. It seems to keep the classes interesting and the students are able to see more than one perspective.
I am a math instructor, and like someone else who previously posted a response to this question, I find that many students come into class with math anxiety and a huge fear of failure. Thus, a safe learning environment is huge. I try to be approachable and explain to the students tips and techniques that have helped me in my study of mathematics. I model for them out loud how a mathematician approaches problems and then have them demonstrate to me this same approach. I especially like when they catch me in errors, so they can see that failure is ok and that errors give them valuable information. I also like to focus on group and partner work as much as possible because the students learn so much from discussing and explaining concepts to each other.
If we are able to create a similar environment in the clinic classroom, as to what the students will be exposed to when they graduate, it makes the learning real & alive. The students get a better idea about what they will be faced with in the real world. We do massage clinic 3 times a week & lecture day 2 times. One of the clinic days, the students can bring in outsiders as clients & we treat them like we would in the real world.
It plays a great role. If the students feel comfortable and at ease the learning process can flourish. Everything from instructor attitude to curriculum and syllabus to the physical environment can affect the way that students learn. It is our responsibility as instructors to set the tone and provide students with the best possible path to success.
The learning environment should prepair the student for real world work environment.
Give them real life issues
The building rules have changed recently and we are no longer allowed to have maps, charts, art, or any other teaching aids on the walls of our classrooms. The students and I miss these visual stimuli immensely.
Hi Robert,
Based upon the work of Dr. Freud what can we do to establish a support environment for our students?
Gary
we are all products of our environment, according to Siegmund Freud
It is not always possible to know exactly what the students will see in the field- because different clinics may be set up along different lines; however, the general equipment and materials and a common layout should be provided.
If the enviroment is pleasant, the student is more likely to learn.
Making student comfortable is important to their learning capability.
I agree that there are all sorts of tools and technology to address the various learning styles/needs. These must be considered in planning the instructional delivery.
The learning environment should be one where the student is comfortable and can focus on what they are there for- learning. Lighting, temperature and seating arrangements are part of it, but there should also be a “feel” that students belong in the mix. What I mean here is that students are in an environment where they collaborate with other students and the instructor and participate in the learning. The learning environment is a tool that must be manipulated so that material is present that supports learning (graphics and charts, for example); multi-media equipment is on board to supplement the instructor’s content delivery and stimulate the students’ thinking; and the atmosphere resembles that of a team. The issue with this, of course, is in the large class sizes at some university campuses, but it can be achieved by dividing the class into smaller work groups that are then composed of teams. I do not think that the atmosphere should resemble a work place, per se. I think that the classroom should be “professional” in the sense that they are conducive to learning.
The learning environment needs to be comfortable for the student, as well as the instructor for there to be a good process.
The learning environment now is definitely a major factor in education today. Students have varying learning styles, and as educators it is up to us to try to meet those styles so the learners are successful. Not only adaptation to other instructional processes but being willing and acceptable to what the learners may offer as advice or suggestions as to their learning. I feel you can still be effective with all the tools of technology given, but to tailor it to the individual need.
It will change from class to class as each person will develop and fall into a place of psychological "group" setting, almost like a family. As an instructor, one must know the course/text thoroughly so as to be able to present to these ever changing classes. Of course the smaller the classes, the more obvious the dynamics that work between each other.
it strenghtens teacher/students relationship
