Oh my Heather -that's the worst!! I presume you were not in Antarctica??? Kudos to you (and your students for hanging in there! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I once taught in a classroom where the temperature was literally 55 degrees in winter. The students would wear 2-3 layers of clothing and have a blanket. Their scores suffered, and the learning environment was clearly affected.
The learning environment must be comfortable, and cater to the different learning style needs of the students in the classroom. Visual learners, for example, would benefit from posters and visual aids hung up in the classroom. It's little steps like this that help add to the learning process successfully.
Hi Steve- Thanks for your post to the forum. You mention some important things to keep in mind when considering the classroom environment - thanks for sharing! Best wishes - Susan
The physical setting can have a huge impact on the learning preferences of your students. First, I feel the number of students in a class can sometimes determine which methods you can use. Second, the technology available will impact the learning preferences (i.e., Powerpoint). I teach accounting and seek out classrooms with large chalkboards or white boards to work problems. Third, the seating diagram/setup for your classroom can impact the learning preferences of your students. I have found the amount of class discussion will be influenced by the style of seating (i.e., traditional classroom, U-shaped, etc.).
In my opinion the physical setting helps to stimulate all four learning styles by making the students feel more comfortable.
Hi Mary - Thanks for your post to the forum. Your voice is a like a beacon of positivity!!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career and happy New Year! Susan
HI Kevin - I'm sorry that you have such a difficult setting in which to teach. The only consolation that I can give you is that after 30 years in education, I know how much of an impact we can have on our students lives. It is incredibly fulfilling to have a student email years after they have graduated to tell me that I made a difference in their life! Stay strong for your students!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career and happy New Year! Susan
I think the physical learning environment can be compared to the home environment in that it is much more relaxing and conducive to positivity when things are in order in all respects. On the other hand, there should be a balance between order and comfort! Just like home, the classroom should be welcoming, and "lived-in" to the point that the environment is not intimidating.
I also recognize that the environment in which we teach and spend time with students is very important. I have noticed, however, that students will follow the instructor's lead in coping with the limitations of space, budget, or lack of equipment. So, when I am confronted with one of these, I try to put a positive spin on it, by promptly introducing an alternative, switching directions temporarily, or if appropriate, acknowledge the less-than-ideal situation, but avoid overemphasizing it.
Examples: work with a buddy if short on equipment. Switch tasks if the kits have no arrived on time. OR soemtimes a simple "Let's just make it work" can suffice.
This helps remind me, and the students, that when faced with things over which we have no control, it's a good opportunity to practice learning how to find alternatives, and still accomplish goals.
I totally agree that the positive setting makes the teaching situation better. My only problem that I have in my teaching enviroment is that the overhead doesn't put money into a school that's falling apart. We had a men's room without no door for the toilet area and now its replaced with a curtain. The ceiling is falling down in the bathroom and on our clinic floor. Students keep getting cramed into this school that is fit for about thirty students and we have almost sixty. How do I remain positive as an instructor when my fellow staff members as just as underpaid and under appreciated as I am.
Kevin Jackson
Hi Matt- I liked that idea -congratulations on your success! Susan
Students sitting in front seem to listen better. At some point during the quarter, usually after 1 or 2 weeks, I take the jokers aside and ask them what they are trying to accomplish. Then I suggest they move up front to improve their retention. I challenge them to see if they remember more, or get better scores. If they don't they can return to the back of the classroom. They never do!
I also make it clear to them that we have open discussions, not lectures. I don't like to use the "L" word. It makes them more comfortable.
HI Diane - I can feel your energy through your post! Your students are most certainly energized- great work! Susan
To create a positive attitude in the classroom; the first day is always crucial; teachers should walk in smiling, with chalk, with a plan, enthusiastic about the new semester!! What the students are are going to learn!!
I like to do this, too. I bring in examples from the lab during lecture and let the students pass things around. Also, to demonstrate sound for something we do, I bring in a balloon and tap on it so the students can hear the correct sound. I also tell stories from my experience that relate to the current topic. I try to limit experience stories to no more than 3-5 minutes as not to distract from the overall lesson. I also greet my students with a smile every morning and am genuinely interested in their weekend and recent clinical experiences. I think this helps create a positive environment.
The physical environment is very important to the adult learner, and certainly will affect their ability to learn information from multiple learnign style deliveries, not just the one they are most comfortable with
If the physical aspects are not appropriate temp, lighting, good working equipment, ) it distracts students and interferes with concentration and completing tasks successfully.
HI Don - Welcome to ED 103! It is very obvious that you have mastered teaching in the online environment! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
David (and also Sabrina),
I teach in an online environment. Regardless of the quality of that environment, it is pretty much a "set piece". As I see it, the positive attitude and energy of the instructor is a crucial ingredient of the online learning experience. You do not know ahead of time which efforts will actually get through to a given student, so you are looking for all available avenues.
With respect to engaging students with differing learning styles, online classrooms often offer varying types of instructional material. For example, a classroom may provide prerecorded multimedia presentations with sound, motion, and text; lists of assignments, goals, and grading rubrics; discussion boards; areas that files can be uploaded and downloaded; live chat sessions; and software that must be manipulated to achieve certain results.
Often, an online environment will allow an instructor to insert comments and materials to enhance what is already provided. Discussion boards and home page announcements are pretty obvious opportunities. Assignment lists sometimes offer the instructor a chance to append additional hints and information.
Interactive communication, both synchronous (live chat sessions and instant messaging) and asynchronous (email and assignment feedback) are perhaps the best opportunity to impact an online learning environment. Just as in an actual face-to-face conversation, a calm, patient, respectful, and thoughtful tone will go a long way toward engaging the student in a positive way.
Best regards, Don
HI Anthony- Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that there are times when the classroom environment is out of our hands. Then, as you say, it is up to the instructors to make the best of the situation for the sake of their students. A postive attitude is usually the best course! Best wishes- Susan
