Hi Pilar, Thanks for your post to the forum. I also enjoy teaching classes with diverse ages. They learn from each other!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
Hello,
I teach humanities and student success courses at the college level, and I am interested in developing students' creativity and critical thinking through creativity. I have discovered that a physical environment is a key.
Bull and Montgomery’s (2004) seminal article examined the governing variables college instructors need to teach creativity in the higher education classroom. The authors studied instructors who specifically teach creativity as well as instructors who teach creativity in their subject matter, which is more common. Bull and Montgomery categorized the “five dimensions for teaching creativity: climate and environment, personality characteristics, general theories and models, processes involved, and product variables related to the end result†(p. 83). The most significant finding in this study was the role of the environment in cultivating creativity in the college classroom. They found, “Climate variables earned status as the dimension with the highest ranked items across all five dimensions†(p. 88). With the exception of humor in the classroom, no other thematic thread had unanimous prominent position across the dimensions.
Having a open and safe physical setting gives students a greater sense of freedom where they feel protected and thus able to explore. When I teach in traditional programs, I make sure that the physical space has the necessary tools and area for our class, and I make sure that the room is conducive to allow for a social social climate, which breeds creativity.
Dr. Rockford Sansom
References
Bull, K. & Montgomery, D (2004). Teaching Creativity at the College Level: A Synthesis of Curricular Components Perceived as Important by Instructors. Creativity Research Journal, Vol. 8(1), 83-89.
For me teaching adult students from age 18 thru senior citizens,I find that when the environment the students are learning in is a positive environment that caters to multiple learning styles, it facilitates the needs of all the students, from the younger students that are on the pulse of technology to the older students that often shy away from a lot of technology becasue they are not used to it. I often group a younger and older student together in order to enhance the learning experience of both students.
I find that having an organized and clean classroom can reduces distractions.
Hi Shannon, Thanks for your posts to the forum. As an aging "technophobe", I also spend lots of extra time making my older (and sometimes younger) students more comfortable with technology! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I have had this "fear of technology" issue also. My younger iphone generation tends to whiz though the computer assignments while I have to be intentional about easing my older students into tutorials of the technology.
Hi Angela, Thanks for your post to the forum. Creating excitement about learning through games, discussions etc. is the key. As you say the excitement is "contagious"! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
It has been proven in my classroom that learning is contagious sometimes has been a competitive event when playing jeopardy others want to participate. Trying to incorporate the different styles.
Hi Ellen, Thanks for your post to the forum. As you state - setting a professional appearance is so important for the learning environment! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I agree, a clean and organized learning environment implies organization, stimulating a world of open ideas to the students.
Hi Eric, Thanks for your post to the forum. I also like to try to find different venues for my classes - keeps us from getting bored! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
A chaotic and messy classroom sets the stage for a chaotic and out of control class. Providing a neat, clean learning environment that includes subject appropriate posters and enhancement creates a 'ready to learn atmosphere". A sloppy, dirty classroom sends the message that the instructor cares little for teir class and that klearning is not important.
All sounds impact the audible learner who is sensitive to all sounds and distractions.
Sounds are important to audible learners who hear all sounds.
There are numerous ways in which the physical setting influences a students learning. Aside from the obvious environmental factors, a messy, dirty, and/or disorganized classroom tells students that the instructor does not care, so why should they? Additionally, an occasional change of venue can be beneficial to all of the students. It breaks up any possible monotony of the class.
Hi Renita, Thansk for your post to the forum. As you describe, it is challenging to create a comfortable environment for every student!
Susan Polick
I have found it depends on the student and their personalities. Some students like it when I use various dry erase colors because it keeps their attention more than the same black letters/drawings. Others say its distracting. Some like it when I have all the papers needed in organized piles in the back of the room. Yet I have seen a few get confused as to what is to be done with all the options (even after instructions). Some want a warm relaxing environment and others say it puts them to sleep. Even their work areas resemble what I could only imagine their homes to reflect. I have had a student take 5 minutes, before EVERY subject/topic, to organize her notes, books, pens, etc. The person next to her can't stand it because they can only deel with the one item in front of them. Therefore I try to stay as neutral as I can, but will change how the room is set occasionally to create interest.
Hi Stephanie, Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, the classroom environment must be professional which includes being comfortable. Students appreciate the efforts that we make to ensure that. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
hello
I need an organized environment too. I would like to instill that also in my students, If you are not in a clean environment, there will be caos
The physical setting has a direct impact on how well a student learns, down to the temperature in the room. In order for a student to "relax" and open themselves up mentally and emotionally, they must be comfortable in their environment. I help create the environment with my classes from the very beginning because it "sets the stage" for the rest of the term by having the students do introductory exercises. I also insure that everything is in proper working order and comfortable prior to the class even arriving.
