Despite the inital layout of my classroom, I always gather students into a circle and join them when we are discussing concepts or critiquing projects. This seems to facilitate a mutal level of respect and interest, as well as to encourage a level of informality and openness that helps stimulate conversation.
Hi Rita!
I really do like the "new approach" to classroom learning. But I am challenged to how to make it work since each class of students is so different. It's like any new idea - it will take time to make change.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
Greetings Susana!
I use athat lot of color in my classrooms and find students will refer to something on the green, blue, etc. paper. They remember based on the color.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
since I teach in a working kitchen, some of these ideas aren't feasible for me. I do often use music in my classroom though, I think it keeps the energy up and also helps students to calmly focus on the task at hand. I think the other technique that works is during lecture and demonstration they are all gathered around a table and it does tend to encourage more conversation.
I find that using color in conjunction with training aids is a great way to center divided attentions. The color helps draw the attention to the training aid. Students seem to ask more questions when they identify with the colors.
I am not a big fan of music in the classroom. But I would not be opposed to color. I do like posters and using flip charts to then post on the walls.
I like the idea of using the days objectives on colored poster board, creating peripherals that go from introductory ideas on the left to review once we've covered the material on the right. I also think that having tasks and group work color coded might be useful in class.
Whenever we are in lab, at the beginging of class, end of class or during breaks I play music and have had fantastic results from this practice. At the begining of class the music is playing as the students roll in and no matter how loud the students are at the begining of class as soon as the volume goes up slightly then fades out so does their volume. It signals to them that it is time to get started and i never have to ask them to be quiet, they follow the cue of the music. As well, during lecture i will pause for five minutes after fifty minutes or an hour and just have a moment to stop thinking about what we are talking about. I tell them this is official class time so all the same rules apply but i make everyone get up and move about the room and i tell them to talk and think about anything but what we have been discussing, get the heart rate up, get reenergized. Again during this time the music goes up loud and at the end of the five minutes the volume fades, they all automatically take their seats and we continue on with an all new focus. Since doing this i very seldome have students leave during lecture to use the restroom in fact they will likely say "Mr. Wright may we take our five minute break now so that i can use the restroom" they don't want to miss lecture and that is their opportunity to go.
Unfortunately, Guest Facilitator, the to-remain-unnamed institution at which I teach makes implementing most of classroom-environment suggestions made in this unit well-nigh impossible: fixed seating; students in rows facing the instructor; computers with large monitors on the desk, blocking the view of the instructor (and allowing easy access to the ever-distracting internet, with no way for the instructor to block said access); and prohibitions on altering the classroom (no posting of anything on any surface other than the corkboards, usually located in the back of the room).
So, as a rule, I follow the most basic path outline: keeping slides simple; with black, easy-to-read type on a clear background; with color images. Clarity may not be entertaining, but it is, well...clear.
Good job Jocelyn!
I really like your approach to online learning for students. I think most of us are still trying this techniques out in the classroom without even considering online courses.
Jane Davis
ED 107 Facilitator
As an online instructor I use colors for announcements all the time. I do keep with a standard layout and use specific colors to indicate importance.
I also use music and colors with my online chats. I always start and end a chat with music and colorful visuals to grab attention and keep it interesting.
:) I have no control over seating. I do remind students at the beginning of term to consider their study space and try to creat a space that is conducive to studying.
Jocelyn
Students make visuals as projects which are displayed in the classroom. In one computer class that is very much self-paced hands-on for the student, they are allowed to wear their i-pod to listen to the music that best helps them. It also tunes out distractions.
I think all of the above is very useful in the learning environment to help keep them involved and not become so drab and dreary. Keep it alive with color.
Color is instrumental in creating mood. I would use colors that would not dirtract the students. Visuals that are interesting aa they relate to the training. Seating to creat good a good visual experience. And music that would stimulate not distract.
I am currently tinkering with music, color scheme of the classroom and assigned seating arrangements to enhance learning environment. This module gave me some ideas of Visual, Auditory, Feeling, and smell to maximize learning environments.
I teach 3 week classes. I have poster up that give detailed info on the subject we cover. I works good. alot of time when students are doing the first test I see them trying to see the posters. After the test they all study them.
Brian,
You can put the desks or tables all together in the middle of the room and have all of the students sit around the outside in a conference room like configuration or you can put chairs in a circle and sit with the students.
I have used both of these configurations successfully in the past when there wasn't room for a U or V. They also work well for activities or discussions where all class members needed to see each others faces so they don't miss out on the nonverbal portions of communication.
Julie
I also agree that the class room should be set up in an u shape or even a v shape. but sometimes the class room is too small. How would you address this?
Hi Fredrik!
I really like your approach to room arrangement. I keep the students in my classes guessing as to how they may find the room from one week to the next. For the most part, it has really been fun for students. It could be a challenge, however, for those students who require a great deal of structure in their lives. But so far so good!
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
We use round tables in some rooms. long tables in a u shape in others. As the instructor at the opening I walk through the opening past all the students as I lecture.
We also use rooms with lots of color and light.
