Hi Shajan,
Go for it. I think your students will really appreciate the color and content these posters will bring to the lab. Try it for a few weeks and see what the student reaction is. If the reaction isn't what you want then it will be easy to take them down and go back to bare walls.
Gary
I've read through much of this thread and assume many of the folks are either culinary or health instructors. Reading some of the responses are great. I too agree with this comment. I believe the learning environment needs to be inspirational. This is somewhat troubling for me as I teach in a computer lab with 20 workstations with bare walls. Not so like a design studio. I've been thinking about putting up movie posters/inspirational professional pieces from the industry, but have got some push back as other colleagues would rather me put up student work in the lab. I don't agree, thus have done nothing.
Reading through this thread is pushing me to stick to he original plan I had.
Hi Cheryl,
You make a number of very good points about how to set up an environment that is both comfortable and supportive for students. By having such a setting it makes class management so much easier and allows the students to make progress toward their career goals.
Gary
I am learing that some times we think students should be at a certin level with age & this is not always true. Keeping at intro levels work, until you know they have the basics.
It helps if distradtions are eliminated (as best as possible) especially with a diverse student population where there may be students with learning disabilities. when walking into a classroom it is easy to make a determination in a matter of minutes whether or not the room is conducive to learning. If the student feels uncomfortable, anxiety may set in and make it more difficult for those students to learn.
The IT capabilities also play a huge role with the younger students who are more apt to grasp the material if presented with power point presentations or other visual demonstrations
I am a Math Professor. Through my experience I have learned that students are generally nervous about Math.
That is why the learning environment is a critical aspect in the learning process. As a result my class room must become a "save haven" for the students so they may feel more comfortable and relaxed, thus building confidence.
Ways to accomplish this include:
A.Knowledge of the subject
B.Lecture at an average level, so that all the students will feel comfortable in their ability to understand, especially in the beginning of the term
C.Provide assistance and make sure that the students know that you are “approachable”
D.Answer both silly questions and difficult ones
The environment is everthing in the instructional process. Without a comfortable environment the student will not be able to learn at a high level.
Hi David,
As the students are going to enter the "real world" upon graduation any simulation of the real world is helpful. As you mention we need to get as close as we can to the real world if we are going to help our students with the transition from classroom to employment.
Gary
Depending on the feild you are teaching in, it may be hard to get close real world situations . Real world experiences are the closet & the most exciting for the sudents to hear the instructor share. Draw a puicture in there mind when working in the lab. Explain the saftey factors & how if not followed some one could possibly die.
Learning enviroment should be as close to real world as possible,but maybe toned down in order to have control when needed....
Hi Ray,
Right you are about creating a supportive learning environment. If the students don't feel comfortable they will not settled into the class as well and the course will get off to a rocky start.
Gary
The learning environment must be non-threatening to the student. I think the student must feel free to ask questions without being made to feel "dumb". The student must also feel free to be wrong and receive feedback in a positive manner. If the student does not have this learning environment then learning will not take place.
for an effective learning environment, a solid lesson plan and the required equipment are a must.
It needs to be a comfortable environment that allows students to learn freely. It should be free from clutter and distraction, but also have the necessary tools available for learning.
I have learned that by supplying my students with a detailed syllabus and course outline it will set up the framwork for the goals and obejectives that must be accomplished in the course. This, in addition to the resource and support materials will deliver the most organized approach to the overall absorption of the curriculum. I also learned that it is very important to have a solid lesson plan in your daily instruction.
Hi Alona,
In addition to the good points you made in terms of trying to simulate the work environment in the educational setting there is an additional benefit. That is it helps the students to see the relevancy in what they are studying and bridges the gap between school and work. The adjustment process is much less traumatic for the students.
Gary
A comfortable place conducive to learning.
Real life experience conveyed to students at the personal level gives them the sense of being there and being able to see that environment through the eyes of a seasoned peer.
Supporting a learning environment that is similiar to the actual place of functioning is extremely important because it provides a sense of familiarity or a type of security of having been there before.
The enviroment provides insperation, wonder and a goal for the individual not only to be part of the the attended institution , but to obtain the wisdom provided.
