Hi Eva- Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, just as we would want to make a visitor to our home comfortable, we need to do the same for our students. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Michael- Thanks for your post to the forum. You put it very well - we "set the stage" because teaching is very much a performance! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
First as an Instructor I must set the stage for what is going to be taught and learned to my class. All reference material, training aids, and hand outs must be ready when they are called for. Every thing must be working and I need to be prepared and animated so that when I deliver the information I am not going to put them to sleep.
I think the learning environment sets the tone for the class. As far as impacting the learning preferences of the students, it is essential that they can see what is shown (such as powerpoint presentations) and hear clearly both the instructor's voice and any audio that is used as part of the class. In addition a comfortable learning environment can help students to be receptive to learning even if the method of instruction does not correspond to their strongest learning style.
The physical setting will be an impact because all students have different learning styles.
How you set up your classroom and how you deliver your content, will determine how well students will retain the information that you are presenting.
Thats why it is important to incorporate different teaching styles throught out the lesson. This will help to reach out to each and every different type of learning style.
I think the physical setting effects students much the same way as a hotel effects a business traveler or any traveler actually. The nicer the hotel room and guest services the more pleasent the stay. Let's face it if you walk into a hotel room that's small, dim, not clean and has a TV with 3 channels you'll a) not want to stay there b) spend as little time as possible in the room and c) not stay there again. I think students are the same with the classroom setting. If they don't look forward to going to class because the environment is unpleasing then learning is diminished.
It is important to have a learning environment where students will feel comfortable and where they can feel an sense of belonging. A good learning environment will help process successful learning for the students.
The physical setting impacts the learning process by setting the tone of the of the class room, to much can distract a student but to little can deter a student from learning.
Hi Kathryn- thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, the whole package is important not just a lesson plan. Even the best teaching can suffer if the environment is poor. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Tremendously, people don't understand that when we walk into a room, especially a classroom our senses come alive, smell, color, spatial setting all play and can increase or decrease our learning capaiblities.
Hi Stephen- Your physical setting does indeed present challenges, but from your description, you are doing a great job at teaching to the learning styles. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
The physical setting is extremely important. My classroom is a replicaa of a service department at a shop and there are alot of obstacles, noises, equipment, etc. This classroom is mostly hands-on (almost 100%) as it is the point in the educational process to perform all that has been learned in previous classes. I do, however, try to take in consideration the different learning styles as the first few days consist of lecture. In my lectures, they include all the different learning styles such as visual, auditory, reading, and kinesthetic.
Hi Kenneth- Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that having our students able to see each others' faces as they discuss makes a big difference. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Traditional mediaeval classroom arrangements prohibit students from seeing each others' faces, as they are all looking in one direction. When possible, I arrange seats in a horseshoe, so we can all see each other. When we can see faces and reactions, we can take in more of what we say; we also listen better.
Environment is key and has a direct correlation to the ability of the student to receive what is being given. The environment should also take into effect the diversed learning styles of class room.
I think if the class is clean and organized, it makes it easier for the student to consentrate on learning.
The physical setting is another teacher.It should be a learning community.
Hi Sara- Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree, and think that if we just concentrate on putting ourselves into our students' places we will be aware of the importance of their learning environment. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
The physical setting can have both positive and negative impacts on the learning enviornment. Loud, busy, hot/cold, small/large, messy enviorments could cause great distraction for students. Comfortable, clean, bright, organized settings will allow the student to better focus on the information presented rather than what is going on around them.
I like to have group discussions - students get to know each other and share opinions - lighting needs to be soft and tables and chairs arranged so they have enough room to work.
