I’d like to create a “zen corner†in my classroom – a pretty potted plant with an electric fountain will go a long way for reducing the stress and anxieties of new students (I teach an introductory course). Most classrooms are so clinical that they need something – anything – to keep even myself from wanting to run away. The best and quickest fix I believe, is a tree.
I will display mounted portraits of famous artists, placed in an appropriate classroom viewing area, and each class period, provide motivating facts about each artist. Then bring a new set/collection every week, thus changing the environment. This will provide unique visuals, motivating content and inspiration. It will also add color to the room environment. Corresponding music from the artist’s era will be played as well. Seating will change, (small groups, large circle, theater style) based on the learning objective, content and exercises of the day.
Haven't tried it yet but do plan on incorporating more discussion from students in the class tomorrow, and use more than just powerpoint but expand to the board and butcher paper to draw the students out more.--mb
I am also limited as to the available structure. I like the idea of colored handouts (reviews & the like). Have you tried it yet? If so, what were the results.
Good job Michael!
I have found that students are very responsive to using color in the classroom. You can incorporate in many different ways - handouts, posted information, color markers, using colored paper for projects, etc. My motto is be as creative and youthful as possible - keep it fun!
Keep up the good work!
jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
In order to address various learning styles in the classroom, I often advise my faculty to try using different colored paper for handouts, exams, and the like. Many instructors have indicated that this approach does work well. The color range available is not optimum and cost does become an issue in some instances, but when possible, it is a great technique to employ.
When I teach Humanities courses, I play music related to the curriculum per class. I believe that this helps the students to "sort" the material and will play the music back during quiz and exams. We also do visualization activities - for instance, I have them devlep a "story" to accompany one of Vivaldi's Four Seasons - I change the selection each term. I ask them to guess the season and write a description of events. The point isn't to get it "right" but to get them to listen closely and stop thinking about extraneous things in their lives. It's also a fun discussion starter when I tell them the season that I played.
In the past, I have posted a motivation board listing top achievers for a quiz or exam (mindful of FERPA, of coures) and it encouraged the students to perform better - done carefully and in a fun and respectful climate, it is received well but again, the tenor and class dynamic is key and it may only work well for some instructors/class types.
The seating is already pretty good at my usual location, in that the rooms are set up in a U-horseshoe. When I travel to lecture, I arrive a day early to see what the physical set up is and try to adjust and move seats and tables as needed. This is not always possible so I look for an opportunity to move the students into small groups for the end of the class to exchange ideas and review the course content. I'll have to look at bringing in some colorful posters that tie into the subject matter and to the course objectives.
As I teach a lot of creative people and a lot of visual learners this becomes very important. I try to make the learning environment as creative as possible.
I find this very difficult since I don't have my "own" classroom. I share a classroom with a couple of other people. I try to put up stuff on the walls but it gets tiring going up and down all day. The teacher next to me plays music all day. It is so loud I don't see how her students think at all. I do play music off and on depending on how much independent work there is.
Color allows the brain to latch onto some newer ideas or topics that are being introduced. The Peripheral technique is quintessential to the learning objectives, and these are the fundamentals, along with visuals in creating an effective advanced learning environment.
Seating is extremely valuable, we take for granted the need to realize and isolate seating styles, but if travelling in a bus or train, sometimes it takes us 2 to 3 or more minutes to find the seat that best suites us, even though the choices are aisle or window. Using this knowledge will only help dissolve some of the non-verbal and sub conscious yet omnipresent barriers present in any and all learning environments.
Creative supplies and music are additional tools, but not as quintessential in my mind. Nonetheless, the added value and effective facilitating they provide to us is immeasurable.
Hi Kenneth!
I really like using color in the classroom. Color adds interest and draws attention to topics for which you want students to focus. Colors stimulate memory cues and will often help students recall important information during exams.
AND - color is just plain fun!
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
Colors have a value in how they are used inside the classroom.
Curt - I would love to be a student in your classroom - it sounds interesting and exciting!
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107
I like to make hand-outs or read-aheads in different colored paper; visuals such as projected photos and video clips are incorporated into my presentations; seating is typically in a "U" shape if classroom permits, if not, I'll try to angle the tables in a "V" shape toward the front of the room. Music is typically a part of the video clips. The incorporation of these and other techniques help to gain the focus of nearly all students, regardless of their particular learning style because I touch so many different types.
Hi Sonya!
I actually like the idea of students being in a circle facing inward; however, that might be a little more difficult where computers are involved. It's important that we can make regular eye contact with our students and this set up makes that a challenge.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I loved the seating idea of computers around the room with students facing the wall when working on them. It allows for uninterrupted discussion and easy monitoring and assisting with their work. The only downside I can see is not being able to easily follow along with an instructor.
Yes color does help calm relax and comfort. Any suggestions for someone who never has the same classroom twice in a week? It would be idea to use the same classroom, but i dont see that happening.
I have always encouraged students to choose their own seats, but I've found that I usually have to change some of their preferences after some time or for some activities. The use of color is great, and I involve the students in the beginning of class to make the peripheral learning devices themselves, and to choose where to put them on the side walls. I have had mixed results with the addition of music; mostly I have taught music (doesn’t count!). But taking a more scientific approach to what type of music and when it is played would increase the positive effects and I’m willing to look at it again.
Hi, I teach online with an emphasis on visual content, although we do have one live interactive forum each week in which they hear me talk.
I could use a bit of music at the start of our live chat, as students are signing in.
I think the color ideas are most useful for me. I need to emphasize words and content in my annoucements and should pay attention to the colors I use to do so. Also, I use PowerPoint slide presentations, so I am careful that these are visually appealing, and not to use colors that will be "jarring" on a computer screen which is how my students see their course content.
Lyn
I definately like the idea of playing classical or relaxing music while the students are doing group or independent work. Also, music can be used as a queue to do something, for example, if they hear music, then they know that they have 5 minutes left in class and its time to wrap up. As far as color, I can use different colors to represent different things..for my class, I'd like to use blue for blue, green for exams, yellow for notes, and pink for projects..this way when they are digging in the bag for materials in my class, it is easier for them to find my stuff since the colors will stand out.
