class environment
we are what we eat, drink or breathe. we are part of the environment and everything around us.
the blue print and content of a classroom can also affect the way we deliver a message.a well furnished and confortable room can sometime help in relaxing the mind to be more focus and alert. an overcrowded classroom is always an issue for both the student and the teacher which raise the anxiety level. be sure to have enough space to float around the class and always considere the layout.
We ideally wish to have a good student to instructor ratio. Unfortunately, I have a large class in a computer room--not suited for lecture. What would you do?
Students that engage in private conversation during lecture do that less and less if you are a floater. They also feel that you are taking a more personal interest in them.
I completely agree your enviroment and your surrounding have a huge factor in being comfortable and ready to learn. Without the right enviroment you can be destracted, scared, or just closed to the idea of learning.
That is very true but the bottom line is we need to do what ever we can to make sure students under stand and I have them show me and explain to me so I know I got thru to them.
I agree with all that is being said, but especially with Barbara's comment about staying with the book. I learned from experience that if you do not stay with the book, students may feel they have wasted their money and become resentful which definitely impedes learning.
i agree with Karl, students are fully aware of their environment and they tend to "hide" when classroom get crowded. I teach culinary Arts and i am always moving around helping them out and correcting their mistakes as they go , showing them tricks along the way. that way they are getting the attention they deserve and it gives me an opportunity to assess what they learnt from the demo and re-explain if need be.
I agree with setting the tone in the class room. Students are aware of their environment they develop their own perspective of how the course is going be conducted usually the first couple of course sessions.Students are also very observant of how the instructor will conduct or teach the course. Therefore it is imperative to be prepared for topics covered according to lessons planned.
I completely agree on this. You need to be able to float around the classroom. It never fails when I see an instructor sit down on the computer in the back of the class to do paperwork during the class production and kids feel that the teacher is not available or not approachable. You must float around, but not hover.
Absolutely Karl. A median balance of student to teacher ratio is vital. It is vital for a healthy running of your daily activities, but also for their successs.Too many students and you cannot sufficiently meet their learning needs.
Keeping control of an overcrowded class room is key. with so many thoughts & opinions, it can be easy to have a discussion spiral out of control. Be firm, consistent & let every student feel like they have had the opportunity to speak, but keep it brief & to the point
It is important to float around the room in order to maintain the personal contact with each on of the students. I also have the opportunity to say hello to every one of my students during the morning line-up-- which is technically where we inspect their uniforms-- though I usually use it as much more of a daily opener. I find that it helps to make small notes on my roster regarding students who have brought concerns to my attention, be it personal matters, educational matters or career matters- this enables me to reconnect with them over the next few days by following up with their concerns. I have learned that as a teacher we need to foster a relationship of trust and friendship with every student, being careful not to overstep our bounderies. The students who never open up, who never speak, are the most likely to get lost in the jumble...
I agree totally. All of my students are adults with complex lives; I find that when I am well prepared they seem to step up to all possibilities of learning the subject. I feel it is also very important to stay on course with the textbook. Add experience -but stay with the book. The textbooks are very expensive, and most of the time well written. The students get confused when subjects are brought up that have nothing to do with what they are studying.
Floating around the room shows the students that you are available, concerned about couse content, and prevents faculty from becoming a statue. I feel that when faculty float you as the instructor are able to engage students and establish rapport.
Regards,
Doreen
I agree. That is why it is so important to have a good student to teacher ratio. Students are not idiots. They know when they are considered a person and when they are considered a number of dollars sitting in a room. The teacher also has to be prepared and ready to discuss the topics being covered.
