Kristina,
So true and something instructors need to remember as they are completing their instructional delivery plans. This way they will take the time to look around the classroom/lab and see the setting through the eyes of the students. This will help them to make sure the environment is comfortable and ready to receive students.
Gary
If the learning environment is uninviting, cluttered or messy I think it distracts the student from the subject. Especially if it is messy, I have heard my students say whats wrong with this school? Its always dirty and it seems to take their attention away from the course. Even though we are not part of the janitorial staff we should however make every attempt to keep the class room inviting to our students.
It must be a safe learning environment where students can make mistakes and see their mistake as a positive rather than a negative. It is through this safe environment where students can grow in their learning.
When a student feels comfortable in their environment they are more willing to take in the material being presented to them rather than focusing on what they would like to change about their classroom. Starting out with a positive and comforting learning environment for the students removes distractions from the classroom. It helps the students feel at ease and less stress, this in turn helps them accomplish what they are in the classroom for and that is learning.
Although it may be true that the instructional environment isn't necessary as part of a particular course, it nonetheless can have a significant impact on both the instructor's ability to deliver content and guide student understanding, and for students to have good focus during each class.
Environments that are too hot/cold, excessive outside noise, seats that are broken or otherwise unnecessarily uncomfortable, foul odors, and much more can all contribute to a negative learning environment. All instructor's should be aware of this and as much as they are able, ensure the learning environment is as clean and neat as is reasonably possible.
I think the learning environment is a very important part to the learning outcome and success of the student. They need to feel safe and it is important that the classroom be "student friendly."
Success or defeat are the roles many learning environments create. I am learning some great tools to help me to improve in my own environment that will be more conducive to learning. Thank you!
Learning environment is their safety zone and what is going to prepare for the reality that they will soon face when they graduate. As for the medical field, they need to feel comfortable but also learn about safety and how to go about it correctly.
The energy you bring to the class room is the engery you get from the class
It needs to be an environment that doesn't threat the student and a place where they can feel safe in. If the student is unfamiliar with elements in the environment, the instructor should take the time to introduce them to those elements so the student feels more comfortable.
The room should be inviting to the student and they should feel safe in the classroom. It needs to be and feel comfortable, right temperature and equipped with the necessary audiovisual equipment available. There will be some rooms that are specific to various programs and be equipped with the necessary equipment that is needed for the room.
Two classes that I teach out of the same room I must make sure that I have enough supplies for my two classes and for the other intructors teaching the same class. I generally go through the cabinets on the first day of class showing the students what each cabinet contains as well. I also expect them to become familiar with the items in the cabinets because they will be using them.
Students appreciate learning environments where they aren't intimidated and belittled. As "experts" aka instructors/faculty, we KNOW the information that the students are there to learn. I try to remember what it was like for me as a student and make my students feel comfortable with the subject matter. I don't coddle them and/or comfort them, however, I care that each student is learning and make that evident in my teaching.
The learning environment is extremely important. This is especially evident when a student does not feel safe, they are unable to concentrate on the lesson.
I think the room temperature is often times over looked, students do not do well if room is either too hot or too cold.
I feel that the learning environment is one of the most important factors in successful instruction. The learning environment needs to be comfortable and inviting so that students want to learn. It should have good lighting as well as a comfortable temperature. It should also have the same type of equipment and supplies that their future work environment will have so they will feel more comfortable when they are ready to enter the work environment.
The learning environment sets the tone as much or more than the instructor. You can have an awesome, organized enthused instructor and if you have a room that is 85 degrees, poorly arranged, a loud train every 15-20 minutes the best instructor and the most dedicated student would find themselves having difficulting in learning required cirriculum.
The Learning Environment must be supportive, feel safe, and be condusive to learning. To do this, I try to encourage an environment that students are uninhibited to ask questions about the subject matter at any point they feel the need.I ask the students if anyone has any questions, discussion or concerns about the material covered at each point of a need for major understanding during the class. This works very well, often clearing up questions other students may have, but either didn't know exactly how to phrase the question, or felt it didn't warrant asking.
Beth,
You are providing a comfortable and supportive environment with your professionalism. By them knowing you care about them individually and their success you can get them engaged. Special education is student centered in terms of providing support to and for learners in the least restrictive environment. So you are transferring the special education approach to adults in terms of how you are working with them. This makes for a positive and supportive learning setting.
Keep up the good work.
Gary
Ryan,
Not sure. When I have taught in such situations I tried to incorporate the problems into my lesson by having discussions on how to overcome such situations and still meet our goals. The students really got into the effort.
Gary
All through my BS and MS programs we have discussed the appropriate learning environment. As an elementary special education teacher, I have control over my learning environment (seating, lighting, visuals, plant life etc.) and believe that students should feel safe, comfortable, successful, loved etc. in order to promote successful learners. However, in an adult learning environment our classrooms tend to be lacking the "comfort" that I am able to provide to my little learners during the day. As a part-time instructor, in a post secondary environment, I do not have control over my room arrangement, lighting etc, as classrooms are shared throughout the day and more than one department shares the space throughout the week. I believe that I provide my students with a safe and successful environment but the "comfort" factor is lacking. Despite the comfort factor, the students are offered a warm, friendly, positive environment that I hope gives them the security of a safe and effective learning environment.
-Beth
