Hi Wendy,
Your dedication to your students is to be commended. I am like you in that I like to get to class early to make sure everything is set up like I want it and to chat with the early arriving students. This way as the students arrive I have a chat to speak to and chat a few seconds with each one. This really helps with creating rapport.
Gary
Hi Jayne,
Way to go! Anytime you can show progress graphically you are helping your students to internalize their newly acquired knowledge and skills. I bet you get some real interesting displays from the students.
Gary
I try to get to my classroom at least a half hour in advance to layout my handouts and set up my powerpoint and in class work. I also want to be their to help students if they come in early to get help with their homework.
It is a helpful way to break up the class time and keep the students attention.
It must give them a sense of pride. Plus it must be nice to be able to see how other students are handling their assignments.
I teach a class for graphic designers - they need to learn the program and produce results - one of the best things we have are strips for posting their work all around the room - each student is given space to post their work. This gives the student a chance to not only show off their work but see their development as they progress through the course.
Making sure all needed materials are available and also review the room before class starts.
Hi Ann,
Great way to create a flow to your classes. You are keeping on top of the physical needs of your students through the breaks and then bringing back their cognitive processing through the discussion format. I am sure your students really enjoy your classes.
Gary
It provides a safe and effective method of teaching.
Teaching must be able to adapt to current issues and changing needs of the students.
I think that being open to ideas is key, even if we, as instructors, do not personally agree with the ideas. When I conduct opinion-based discussion, I think it is important to keep an open mind and try to ensure that my students do the same.
I like the idea of giving breaks every 45-50 minutes. I also like playing some music over the break and then starting the next session with a discussion question instead of lecture.
Hi Hanna,
You are correct about the instructor setting the tone for the environment. Over the years I have taught in some horrible conditions and by setting a positive supportive tone I was able to keep the student engaged in learning in spite of the cold, peeling paint and broken equipment.
Gary
The learning environment is not just the physical environment, it also means the environment created by the interaction of the students. The instructor must manage the class and control the interaction so that students do not put each other down but keep the comments positive.
I teach online and in the classroom. The online environment will need proper training for instructors and students to become familiar with format of the classroom.
In the classroom, I teach four hour classes. Having adequate breaks and seating is important to make sure the students are comfortable to absorb as much information as possible in that four hour block.
The learning environment--usually, but not always, a classroom--needs to permit and support focused learning. What does that mean to me? It means minimal distractions, ergonomically healthy chairs and tables, the tools necessary for students to accomplish specific objectives, and whatever multimedia I can get that works with my instructional styles. I especially like to have a classroom with a computer/projector combination, which permits the students to see the same resources that I see.
Hi Jeremy,
Will have some ideas for you if you can give a little more detail concerning your question and your setting?
Thanks.
Gary
Any ideas for a kitchen environment?
Hi Ernest,
You are right about keeping the students focused on the true target, learning in the classroom. The environment can take that away from students quite easily unless instructors work to make sure that everything is being done to make the setting supportive and inviting.
Gary
Hi Wayne,
Good points about the environment. The instructor really needs to be observation of the big picture in terms of student comfort. Watching that the little things don't distract while focusing on the instructional content an instructor will be both effective and efficient.
Gary
comfortable temperature - visually pleasing
The physical environment is critical to the students ability to focus on learning opportunities. If environmental conditions are not within acceptable standards for personal comfort, safety and functionality; barriers to learning will occur.
The classroom can be adapted by:
providing adequate lighting
minimizing background noise
providing climate control
providing adequate personal seating space
ensuring adequte line of site
enuring adequate classroom supplies and equipment
removing any concerns for personal safety
