Hi Eric, Thanks for you post to the forum. Yes, absolutely, the basic needs must be met before learning is a possibility. Best wishes for an excellent July quarter!
Susan Polick
Hi Daisy, Thanks for your post to the forum. I recall a horrible class where there was no AC in a heat wave - grueling!Best wishes for an excellent July quarter!
Susan Polick
Hi Sandra, Thank you for a very well written and comprehensive post that clearly explains the importance of what we do as instructors! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
The setting for a positive learning environment is a comfortable, stable, safe, area or classroom where each student does not fell threatened. If the instructor is positive and supportive then the class will more than likely begin to enjoy the environment and the learning taking place. Make them want to be there for the activities. I also feel that an understanding of Maslow's chart
shows student needs that must be met to let them be themselves.
Physical settings do impact students learning. As a former student, I would not be able to concentrate if the room was to cold. Wearing a lab coat just did not do the trick. Not being able to concentrate made it very difficult to learn.
When an instructor considers the physical setting of the classroom in relationship to learning preferences, the instructor is adding another dimension to help student success. If the instructor is lucky, s/he teaches for a career college that recognizes this and builds 'professional' classrooms where students learn in court room settings, surgical lab rooms, and massage clinics. Of course, these are cosmetic features. What is really important in the learning environment is the instructor. No matter what new state of art bells and whistles kind of classroom is provided, if the student does not feel welcomed and supported in the learning environment, there will be little success. In addition, if the instructor does not vary their instruction in relation to student learning preferences, again there will be limited success. Therefore, the resourceful instructor varies instruction as well as the physical classroom setting to meet student learning preferences.
Hi Regina, Thanks for your post to the forum. I know this may sound really "old school" but could you use easels with flip chart paper set up as well? Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I agree about needing more whitebard space. I've often thought of a 'moving' activity that would help my evening students stay engaged but didn't have the white board space to do it. I teach a subject that requires a lot of memorization, and there are many ways I could assess their knowledge without a traditional quiz, but it is difficult to do without ample white board space. Fo instance, have one student put a combining form on the board and have another student add a prefix or suffix to modify the original term. Then have another student give a different prefix or suffix and meaning, etc. It could be a good round-robin type of vocabulary review that would help some of the working students stay involved later in the evening. Unfortunately, as my classroom has windows on two sides and a projector screen, there is little room for more white board space. Instead, we pass 3x5 cards around the room. It works, but I think getting up and down would be better for the class.
Hi Charles, Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, usually "less is more"! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Not all students have the same learning preference. The initial physical setting of a room should have a stress free, inviting look. Once the learning preferences have been identified the physical setting of the room can be tailored to the class.
Hi Tammy, Thanks for your post to the forum. You described an ideal classroom! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Hi Michael, Thanks for your post to the forum. You make an excellent point! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Every learner must be comfortable in their space before maximum learning can take place. This includes the physical, verbal, and emotional comfort. Physically, students can move around if needed, communicate with each other and the instructor, or even choose to just listen and not participate. They can see each other, the presentation, the instructor, and other teaching materials.
The physical setting could impact student in different ways. In my opinion it could be a benefit or a distraction. A room with no windows might help a student that relies on auditory or written input to focus on the informaion being presented. Where as a student who learns by visual input might become disengaged or stifled.
Hi Olga, Thanks for your post to the forum. With all this new technology, functionality is indeed an issue! I make sure to always have a back-up plan. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
i totally agree with you regarding the temperature of the room, as well as the lighting. Functionality of the equipment is equally important. Teaching web design, fast internet access must be available 24/7. And, I would love to have more "white board space" for myself as well as for the students!
I have noticed that if students aren't comfortable, they cannot focus on the material being presented. They will fidget in their seats and then disturb others around them. I had an incident once while trying to lecture with sunlight streaming through the window and it was making it hard for the students to see the board let alone for me to see the students. We had to move to another room since there was no curtain on that window.
Hi Dawn, Thanks for your post to the forum. You have described an ideal learning environment! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I agree that the environment has a large impact on the learning process - noise levels, lighting, visuals all effect each person differently. I think trying to provide a balance between hands-on acitivities, quiet study/reading time and lecture/discussion is important.
Hi Amy, That's a very good point! We do need to make sure our classrooms are amenable to teaching to all the learning styles. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
