I discovered many years ago in my early teaching career that a classroom environment does affect the learning process. A drab room devoid of color, pictures, and teaching aids produces a drab, colorless learning experience. I like to enhance the room with color, objects, and pictures that stimulate images where students can imagine and learn. I am a great proponent of Ray Bradbury and his writing workshop. I think that speaks loudly of my approach.
I teach in a culinary school also, but mangement classes in a classroom setting not lab classes. I find that many of the same things apply in a classroom setting also. Is the room a comfortable temp, are the seats arranged in a way that is conducive to learning. Does the instructor have the supplies they need for the day, dry erase markers, handouts, answer keys.
One area we often struggle in is technology. Our computer setup is not always the best so the instructor must take extra effort to insure that they are able to access the materials,programs etc. they intend to use for the day.
If I intend to use an internet link, youtube video, etc. I try to find time dthe day before to run through it in the classroom I will be using and work out any bugs or make alternative plans if needed.
The 75% of our classroom is The kitchen-lab.
It is so important to have a safe- confortable Kitchen with all the products and staples needed for the especific day task. Our Kitchens are beautiful but we have to get ( Platters, vegetables, fruits, pot pans, etc. for the specific tasks of the day.
Preparation for every kitchen demostration needs to be ready by the time students walk in.
The kitchen always needs to be clean and organized.
Yes, environment have an importat role in the day to day of the kitchen lab. If all these little details are not accomplished or fullfil, students learning will be hurt.
They will never feel welcome or confortable.
More prepared I get, more time I will have with them. And more capable I will be to fullfil their needs. With time I teach them to help me take care of their environment, some ownership is important in my industry.
Cooking on a clean, organized and well set kitchen is just a pleasure.
Hi Kristen,
You are so right about how critical the environment is to successful learning. Students have to have adequate equipment and supportive resources in order to be engaged in the learning process.
Gary
I think the smallest of details is important to our type of learner.
The seat placement, temperature, equipment functioning and lack of distractors.
Computer equipment is the most important. Speed of retaining materials needed on a daily basis.
I teach a lot of computer courses, so the learning environment has a very important role. If some (or all) of the computers are not working properly, the students become discouraged easily. Also, our classes run for 5 hours, so a comfortable environment with all of the resources that the students need is key to having them stay the entire class.
The learning enviroment has to be a place where students feel comfortable and are willing to ask questions. It must be a place where they feel that you are really interested in what they have to say.
Hi Meggan,
You are right about the classroom needing to be set up correctly. If students can't see or are uncomfortable the learning curve is going to be very flat. Once the classroom environment is corrected then the students can refocus on the course content.
Gary
I teach computers (among other things), so setup is very important. The students need to be able to follow along with what I'm doing. This means they need to see my computer on the screen. I also need to be able to access their computers. If the classroom is not set up correctly, it could detract from learning.
Hi Amy,
The use of students as resources is an excellent way of encouraging discussion and group interaction. Your method of using group discussion as a learning tool is a good way to let the students share life experiences from which others can benefit. Mutual respect and growth are both benefits of using this method.
Gary
Hi Gregory,
Good points on how to set up a supportive learning environment. In all of our planning we need to keep the students as the center of our focus when it comes to how we set up the physical setting as well as the instructional components.
Gary
Hi Timothy,
Good points about how to set up the learning environment. We have to remember the students are the center of the learning core and we have to build out from that.
Gary
Hi Caryn,
A supportive comfortable learning environment is essential for setting the tone for the course. Anything we can do to make all of this come together will help the students get settled.
Gary
Hi Warren,
You make a good point about "tone". We have to do the best we can to impart our message in a way that is received in the way it was intended. You are right that the receiver can take the message in a number of different ways and we always hope it is the right way.
Gary
The learning environment helps set the condition to open up learner's desire to learn. Students need to be comfortable in a class both physically and mentally. Physical comfort comes from keeping the room at a proper temperature, making sure all students can see and hear, and ensuring their is proper seating for everyone. Mental comfort comes from positive reinforcement. Students need to be able to feel comfortable asking questions and answering them without feeling silly or stupid from either the instructor or other students. This can be done by thanking students for asking or answering questions. Avoiding "your're wrong" comments is also a way to maximize the learning environment.
Hi Melissa,
You make a number of very good points about how to be in integral part of the online instructional process. The quick response time is critical to students because that way they know you are out there and focusing on their contributions to the course. This helps to create a "real time" feeling for them.
What do see as being the biggest challenge to a new online instructor? What can they do to over come the challenge?
Gary
I feel that the learning environment makes a big difference in not only the instructional environment but also the learning environment. The classroom itself makes a big difference to me. How it is set up plays a part. I tend to like classrooms that have furniture that is movable. Just moving tables and chairs can make a big difference. I tend to lean towards discussion methods for teaching more than not so it is eaiser and more comfortable if students can face each other. If it is a more relaxed atmosphere the learning comes a bit easier and students participate a bit more freely than they would in a strict lecture format. I believe we can all learn a lot from each other and that goes for the students as well so I like to encourage that type of discussion and learning.
I think that the learning environment should reflect not mirror the world of work. Just as a worker would receive help and guidance from an employer in being successful in a work task, an instructor should create an environment that would facilitate or guide learning to ensure student success. The learning environment can be changed physically to represent work situations. Such as setting up the classroom to look like a boardroom or give the impression of workgroup workspaces. The learning environment can also be a collaborative one, just as in a professional setting, where all points of view are considered to complete a task and work towards a common goal.
-Greg
The Learning Environment allows for the Student and Teacher to interact, and allows for the Student to learn in a comfortable, supportive environment. To get the most of the class, I feel that each Student should be given the same set up they will use in the lab. This allows them to use the skills being discussed in the lecture portion of the class. The class should be set up so that all Students can see the Teacher at all times and see any demonstrations the Teacher is making.
As an online instructor, I work to create a supportive and comfortable learning environment by being well prepared, present and responsive. Students who know you are there and will respond when they have a question seem to be more "at ease" and trust that they will be taken care of. I strive for a prompt return time on questions and work hard to be proactive with information which could prevent confusion. Nothing can steer a course in the wrong direction like confusion and misinformation! It is difficult to recover from such a distraction, hence my focus on planning and prevention! I also make it a point to be posting actively in the discussions, making my presence known, which I hope shows support and interest for the student.
Melissa
