Hi Andrew,
People are interesting aren't they? Even though they are paying money to get a career changing education they can be easily sidetracked by environmental issues. To create the learning community we educators want each time our classes meet, we must take the environmental issues out of the picture. By surveying the classroom or laboratory prior to the class meeting and making sure it is set up properly, clean, and ready for students, then you can make yourself ready to teach. By having your handouts, assignments, and lab supplies organized and displayed the students can see you are ready to teach and they should be ready to learn. It is all a part of the model, manager, motivator aspects of effective instruction.
Gary
I believe that the learning environment is absolutely critical in the instructional process. Human nature plays a major role in the way people react to almost any stimuli. The same way some people approach a place to shop or a place to eat is the way they approach a classroom. Depending on the person, it could be size, lighting, cleanliness, furniture, all the way to temperature. If an individual dwells on their sorroundings, they cannot focus on learning.
Hi Keith,
Right you are. Keeping the learning setting clear of distractions and providing support for the students within that environment is essential for effective learning to take place. Each day you enter the classroom you need to look around and make sure that the setting is the best you possibility can make it for learning.
Gary
Hi Keith,
Right you are. Keeping the learning setting clear of distractions and providing support for the students within that environment is essential for effective learning to take place. Each day you enter the classroom you need to look around and make sure that the setting is the best you possibility can make it for learning.
Gary
There should be very little distractions,the learning environment is very critical to the student,so he or she feels comfortable learning and the instructor teaching
Hi Melissa,
You are right about the need for a supportive learning environment. The time and energy it takes to create a learning community with each of your classes is well worth it. If the students can develop a sense of ownership and loyalty to the class and to you as an instructor you will have a much easier instructional path to follow. As you well know rapport is a key element in this recipe for success.
Some of the most effective learning takes place through questioning. If the students perceive questioning as a learning tool you will be able to cover much material and delve into both the formal and informal aspects of your field. Encouraging questions, will encourage participation and student growth.
Gary
The learning environment plays a very major role in the instructional process. Students must be comfortable and secure in their environment in order to learn. They must feel comfortable with both their instructor and their classmates. It is not enough to say, "There is never a dumb question." It must be demonstrated by the reactions of the instructor and the class whenever a question is asked. Every question should be given careful attention and be treated as an important question to all.
Hi Brenda,
Good ideas for setting up a supporting environment for your students. I am with you on the cell phone situation. That is a courtesy as well as learning issue. They have to respect the other students and their learning needs.
Non-traditional students need even more support as they make the transition from their previous world to the world of being a student. As you know they are very nervous about their success in the class as well as how they will fit in with the other students. By having exercises or activities that let them demonstrate their abilities with success from the very beginning I can them build up their self confidence and help them to be successful for the entire course.
If the students see you not only as a instructor but as a model they can look to, you will have given them much encouragement. Rapport with the students will help them to overcome most of the negative issues that come up in the class. They know you care about them and their success.
Gary
Dear Gary, All participants require comfort and security within the classroom (learning environment). The worst thing to disrupt the thought process is an unwanted distraction (e.g. poorly-controlled temperatures, not enough materials, cramped seating, etc,) One of the solutions I have found to help is merely asking all students to turn their cell phones "off"! I also purchase facial tissues for everyone to use if needed. The learning enviornment should be an extension of one's home.
Hi Iesha,
You are absolutely right. If the “creature†comforts are not provided then the learners won't be focused on the content. Even though we may have to instruct in a less than desirable environment there are many little things we as instructors can do to let the students know that we are doing our best to make a positive learning environment for them. We need always be on the lookout for improving our surroundings, for both our morale and that of our students.
Gary
I agree that the superior knowledge and teaching skills of an instructor can overcome many physical environmental situations, but I also believe that the learning environment definitely plays an essential role in the instructional process.
Example: If a student is taking a computer course and the seating is closely confined where there is little elbow room to type or maneuver the mouse; then less retention may result due to frustration.
I believe people are more apt to succeed if the learning environment is a comfortable one.
The learning environment plays a major role in the instructional process. Students working environment conducive to learning tend to learn more, learn faster and show more interest as opposed to those in a disruptive or otherwise uncomfortable environment where students are more distracted and focus more in making themselves more comfortable rather than focusing on learning.
Hi Tammy,
The key point of your response is the “level playing field†comment. This is always a challenge for instructors. They must make sure all students have a equal chance for maximum learning to occur. To offer anything less is to not meet the professional obligations of being a teacher.
Each time we enter the classroom/laboratory we have to remind ourselves of this fact. We have to as the questions-- Are all students being provided with equal learning opportunities and if not am I taking the proper steps to correct the problem? I think you will find in asking these questions that in many cases it is the little things that cause many of the inter-classroom problems. Student perception of fairness is an issue that will surface on a repeated basis.
Do everything in your power to create equality of learning opportunities and when a problem occurs be quick to resolve it and you will do well as an instructor. You have the content of your field or you wouldn't have been hired to teach. The need is to develop a method of sharing the content in such a fashion that enables the students to acquire the skills and knowledge in a effective and efficient manner.
Gary
I believe the learning environment plays a very important role in the instructional process. It is imperative that the classroom is managed effectively. The instructor has to make sure that each and every student is comfortable in the classroom. Although we are primarily interacting with adults, it is still important that we set boundaries as to what is acceptable in our classroom. Many of the students that we will come in contact with will have established backgrounds in the business community. These experiences can include prior management experience. Students with extensive experience may tend to dominate the class. This could lead to lack of particpation from other students who do not have a high level of experience. It is the duty of the instructor to maintain a learning environment that will encourage a level playing field for all the students.
Hi Ken,
Thank you for the response. You touched on a number of essential elements of making the instructional environment one in which students want to come and learn.
Gary
The question is does the instructor have a choice. If not then you must do the best you can. If you have choices use commonsense or common senses. What are the visible distractions or obstructions? Remove them or fix them if you can. Noise is the next problem. Is the room to hot or cold? Evan smell has disrupted some of my classes in the past. Then there is temptation. I have had to remove internet access from computers during non internet classes because some students kept hopping on when know one was looking. Finally comfort. Comfort is important so long as sleeping is not induced.
Hi Ken,
You are right about the environment. I have a question about this subject. How do you determine that you can or cannot teach in the setting. What is it an instructor should be looking for to help him/her determine whether or not they are going to be successful in that setting?
Gary
The most important thing about the class room is will the student be aiding by this learning enviroment. The second is can I as an instructer perform in this setting.
With this said, the learning environment is very important.
Hi Barbara,
You are on the right track in looking at the learning environment. Often times we educators become so focused on the course content that we forget to look around. By doing a learning environment inventory you can quickly see what you and your students are going to experience in your classes. Little things like seating arrangements can become big things if they are not addressed. We need to always try and look through student eyes when we are viewing our surroundings. Another strategy I use is to have someone not related to my school do a “walk through†and have them explain to me what they are seeing and experiencing. This unbiased perspective really helps me to hone in on changes I need to make to enhance the learning environment.
Gary
Hi Jason,
Your schedule sounds like mine. I start teaching at 4 and go until 7. That group is tired and hungry. I start another group and go from 7 until 10. That group is tired and full. Either way they want to do most anything but listen and focus. This is the big challenge I find in my teaching. I find I must be a cheerleader, coach, instructor and motivator to get through each evening and to keep them coming back. I work very hard at making the instructional process exciting as I try to overcome the fatigue factor.
We have to keep our equipment up to date because you are right if we are using outdated equipment, then what is the benefit of the instruction we are offering. We are trying to train individuals to be competitive in their chosen area, if we aren't doing that then we don't need to be in the business.
Gary
