The learning environment plays a pivotal role in the instructional process. Since we seek to provide an environment similar to one in the work force, a professional clean atmosphere has to be maintained. Even on days we're working with ink's, paint's or charcoal, the room itself has to be conductive to learning (especially when part of the job includes set-up and clean-up).
The facilities available are set up with technology in mind, easy access to outlets, blue tooth, and internet...similar to a work station. This should put the student either at ease, or allow them to acclimate to the work environment they want to pursue.
That not withstanding, we are also a school. The rooms to this end are set up with the facilitation and delivery of information in mind (depending on delivery method).
Not sticking to a rigid seating chart and changing our delivery style allows us to develop our room to the situation at hand, straight on for presentations and lecture, circular for group discussion/debate, segmented for individual tasks.
Humans are highly adaptable—why not our rooms?
The learning environment should be a comfortable place where students are able to easily ask any question or make any comment without feeling uncomfortable. The learning environment should also be extremely comfortable with knowing the expectations in a classroom so that things run smoothly.
Hi David,
Right you are. In the 1960s B.F. Skinner developed a teaching machine that would do everything that a human teacher would do but only better. It was projected that within 10 years there would be no need for human teachers only machines. By my calendar it is April, 2009 and there are several million of us teachers still in classrooms ranging from pre-school to universities. Looks like we are still needed. The human factor is the most powerful aspect of teaching. We must never forget that each time we step into the classroom.
Gary
Hi Kathleen,
Thank you for sharing your perspective about online instruction. Even though this format has been around for a while it is still new enough that we need to work at refining our delivery methods to keep students engaged in the learning process.
Gary
Hi Leslie,
Good points about online teaching environments. You are right that all we can bring to the online setting is ourselves. We need to sell our personalities and our professional concern for student success and then follow up with our students on a regular basis so they know we are out there for them.
Gary
Hi Todd,
You make a number of very good points with the biggest one in my opinion being the one about active learning. Research and common sense has shown that actively involved students helps them to develop the needed skills and retain content knowledge at a much higher level.
Gary
The environment is important, but even the most expensive, high-tech classroom is no match for preparation on the part of the teacher.
More important is the students' confidence that their teacher knows the subject, has the ability to teach that subject and that students will go away from the class having learned what they needed to learn.
A clear patch of dirt on the ground, and a stick to write with, might be all a good teacher needs.
Of course, it is also quite nice to have new computers, comfortable seating and perhaps an overhead projector - but it still all comes down to the basics - preparation, knowledge and teaching ability on the teacher's part.
Hi Jena, while I teach primarily online, I also teach for my alma mater in an undergraduate program. Your discussion about adult learners rang true for me in how some learners approach their courses. The audience analysis is so important. I teach primarily military and law enforcement about instructional design and delivery. My current class were amazed when I came in the second day of class and had told them that I had done some tweaking on the way in which I will be delivering my instruction as well as providing them a new syllabus. They were curious as to why, I told them that after the President of the class said "Dr. Henry if you tell us to run right into that wall, we will do it", I had to step back and relook at my audience and how specific I must be and not generalize. :-D Every class of adults is different. My previous class would've been insulted at the detail to which I revised the syllabus for my current course!
Hi Monica, we share many of the same goals in an online environment. I forgot to mention office hours, which I keep. Emails, answering questions and those all important discussion boards are critical to a presence in the courseroom. I believe that it is that very presence that provides the comfort in a learning environment. Consistency is a perfect word for creating the type of learning environment that is comfortable and encouraging to learning. Kathleen Henry
As an Online instructor creating that right kind of learning environment goes beyond what one can do in a brick and mortar (onground) situation. The same principles apply with respect to having a welcoming environment, it is just done by postings, introductions, interacting with other learners who post their introductions; it is also about ensuring that all of the links are working to avoid frustration right up front with learners. As an online instructor your syllabus must be precise and it is a work in progress at all times. You identify what the late policy is, you provide a calendar of when things are do, you provide any supplemental materials you feel are appropriate, etc. You need to re-evaluate all of the questions/assignments for the course. Are they clear? Are they doable? Is there some wording that could be changed to make it more understandable? If the actual assignment cannot be changed because of policy, what tips can I provide to help learners get a better understanding of an assignment. While some communications are asynchronous, a constant involvement in those communications (discussion boards) is important. Disappearing from the courseroom for days would be just like walking out of an onground class for an hour.
Responding quickly to posted questions, being available and making it a point to tell the learners your availability lends itself to an open environment where the learners know what is expected of them, when it is expected, the fact that they are free to ask questions and ensured they will get prompt responses back.
Maximation of the instructional process in an online environment is limited to what the online platform provides; however, there are other tools that an instructor may be able to utilize as an adjunct to the platform, i.e., "live" voice mail to learners through their email. It is just a matter of knowing the technology and its compatibility with the platform. Kathleen Henry
I teach in an online format, so the learning environment has two components. The first is the classroom software/learning platform used, and the second component is the student's own personal environment. Because we have no control over what physcial environment the students are in, we must try to create an online learning format that appeals to as many people, settings, and learning styles as possible.
The online classroom is typically developed by the institution, so an instructor (unless involved in development) has very little control over this environment. What an instructor can do, is add to the environment by creating a tone through his/her introduction and his/her participation in the classroom discussions and qualitative feedback on assignments. Being inclusive in how one comments and being sure to be active in the course will hopefully create an open environment that has a level of accountability - "Someone is actually reading my comments and assignments and providing feedback, so I better make a serious effort)."
I find that the learning environment is too dynamic to identify with a simple definition. Built properly, the learning environment should change to suit the moods and attitudes of the students who are trying to learn.
Adaptation of the learning environment can be accomplished in lots of ways, but I think most of us have learned that active learning is the best road to student success.
Hi Monica,
Great idea with your posting of "office hours" for your students. It is a comfort to students to know that for a set period of time they have an instructor available to them to bring up any concerns, questions or comments they want to address directly.
Gary
Hi Brian,
The hardest part I think as an instructor is keeping up with how best to integrate technology into my classroom for maximum learning to occur. The first introduction of technology has a bit of "shock and aw" to it and then the newness wears off and I have to make sure using it is really helping my students learner more effectively. You make a very good point about the use of technology.
Gary
The learning environment plays a huge role especially when you do not have the luxury of face to face interaction. My goal is to keep the lines of communication open at all times especially within the discussion boards. This is the official classroom within an online the environment and it is important that students have the opportunity to engage in dialogue with each other. I also make sure that I have "office hours" each week and respond to emails in a timely manner. This allows for the most consistent interaction.
The learning environment must be user friendly, comfortable, have appropriate lighting, and all the equipment and supplies they need must be available and in working order.
I like to create a space that is conducive to what we are working on that day. For example if we are working in groups, I like to set the room up so each group has their own space to work in. This may mean rearranging the room for the day.
Technology is beginning to play an more significant role in the learning environment. Many of our students are confident and comfortable with the use of technology and it's introduction into the classroom can play an important role in maximizing the effectiveness of the delivery of instruction.
Annie, your idea about clustering students is a good one. I will have to use it. John
Thanks Gary. Unfortunately the situation had taken me by surprise because I had not ever had a student do this. It is an interesting experience. John
Hi John,
Good strategy in dealing with an upset student. This method will keep the situation from getting out of hand and will help you retain control of the setting.
Gary
