The learning envirnment should simulate the real world, as much as possible. Then the students can have a feel for how to deal with with a real working environment. My classroom has a full size house for my students to wire and troubleshoot. They are so excited when I say, "you are ready for the house". Then they get real experiance wiring, and trouble shooting their work.
I think the learning environment relies highly on the instructors personnality and his/her ability to adjust to the personnality of the class. If the instructor is proactive as opposed to reactive, they can set the tone for learning for the class.
Hi Michael,
I like this seating arrangement as well. I use it in my classes so that every student is sitting on the front row, since there is only one row and they are visible to each other. Really encourages discussion and interaction.
Gary
I'm also a proponent of the semicircle. It seems that students are more eager to participate in this type of setting. The more inhibited students come out of their shell faster. I firmly believe that we need to do as much as we can to make the classroom as student friendly as possible!
Hi Paul,
Right you are about the learning environment setting the tone for the instruction to come. Plus, it gives your students a model of what they will see in the work world when they are in their careers.
Gary
Hi Jill,
Great example of how an instructor can take any situation and make it a positive one for students. Having taught in a prison myself I know exactly what you are talking about. The classroom in the prison becomes a safety zone where learning, support and encouragement is offered. This should be true for all classrooms no matter the setting.
Thank you for sharing.
Gary
The learning environnment plays a very important part. Being an instructor in a trade school, having a clean, organized, bright environment motivates students to act as they are in a professional setting.
The role that the learning environment plays in the instructional process is: It sets the stage. The environment for learning is as important as an environment to host a party, celebrate an important occasion, or conduct a meeting. The learning environment can be dismal, as it was when I taught over at the Chino Women’s Prison, and yet still maintain its warmth because of human connection. When an instructor creates a communication climate that is warm, everything becomes brighter. It is important for an instructor to set the “emotional tone” in a positive direction regardless of the student’s initial resistance. I was a substitute instructor for about two years, and I had to enter into classrooms where the climate and learning environment was already established. I was now the foreign intruder. It was a challenge. What I know to be true, from experience, is regardless of the territory or established environment; I can shift and change that environment with my presence. Just as rain, sunlight, or clouds can add an element to the environment, my presence has an effect on any environment I enter. I have a responsibility to create the best possible climate within the environment I instruct. I come early to class to tidy up, set up, and just to fill the room with good energy. I welcome each student by name if possible and a smile. I ask them how there day is going and chit chat with them prior to the class starting: Creating a welcoming, accepting, safe place to learn. Teaching at the Prison was one of the worst conditions I’ve instructed in, but yet every time I was with my students it felt like we were in a safe place where everyone was accepted and appreciated because of the positive communication climate. While being an instructor, it is important to remember: We get through the storms, we need the rain, and sunny days bring people together!
makes it condusive to learning
The learning environment helps to facilitate learning in that, if you have a relaxed environment, the students will be relaxed as well and therefore can learn better. Several things can be adapted to maximize this by having a relaxed attitude yourself, but maintaining classroom control.
Hi Stephen,
I commend you focusing your efforts in all aspects of the learning environment. The orange zest is a great idea. I hadn't thought about that aspect of the environment. I know your students appreciate your efforts in making the environment a place of quality and invitation for learning.
Gary
Hi Jennifer,
Correct you are about the need for a supportive and comfortable learning environment for your students. They need to feel welcomed and that the classroom and/or lab has been prepared for them to learn. This will help each day get off to a good start.
Gary
Hi Joseph- I love the line ..."Leave your troubles outside the classroom," if you need them they will wait for you until class is over..." I think I will use some version of it myself- it is so true; bringing personal problems/distractions into the room is probably the worst offender to the learning environment. Responsibility for preventing it falls on everyone in the class.
stephen
The learning environment can play a huge role in the learning process, particularly if it is either full of distractions or cunducive to sleeping. At a culinary school, I find it a challenge in the kitchens to balance the noise of the hood fans with the need for cool air, so on some days they go on and off during lecture. In lecture rooms, I am also sensitive to air quality- if it is too stuffy, I find the students heads nodding despite the brilliance of the discourse. Good airflow often helps, Another technique I like is aromatherapy- I'll zest some oranges just to get the smell in the air- it's energizing in a subtle way, without the caffeine crash.
The learning enviroment plays a very important role in that it is the first look the students have at us and the facility. These are the things the students will use to base their first impressions on, of the course and the instructor. If they have a negative impression they will not feel comfortable and relaxed enough to effectively learn. We should ensure that the enviroment is set up so all students can see and hear well from any seat. Also the room need to have everything that we will for that day in it ahead of time so the class flows smoothly and uninterupted.
the environment shold be professional yet lite or fun. Have the students get involved in the process. I feel it helps with the learning process
comfortable atmosephere. You can put pictures pu of the couse you are teaching
Exactly - a well-balanced variety is the key to student success! If there is too much variety, it can backfire due to a lack of consistency. Too little, you may be missing out on reaching large segments of your learners.
The hardest part is finding that balance at times. You have to be very aware to the 'feeling' of the class as a colelctive whole as well as the individual learners. This vigilance can be of great assistance in maintaining that balance.
Hi Vanessa,
Great way to start each class! Give students a smile and make them feel welcome. You have experienced this but many instructors haven't. It is amazing how positively the students will react.
They will get settled in and the course will be off to a good start that day. Keep up the good work.
Gary
