I would say it helps students be more comfortable in the class room which would make it easier for them to focus on the content of the course.
Making sure you have visable items posted on walls,parts or components in plain view. You may want to arrange tables and chairs so students have clear view of all these items.
In my experience, dealing with English Language Learner students on a regular basis, the most important aspect of the learning environment is that the students feel welcome. The degree of care by the instructor is reciprocated by the attention and effort the student dedicates to the newly presented material.
It plays a major part.With plenty of training aids on hand, it seems real world.
I have found the learning enviroment to be extremely important. Here at my school we have very uncomfortable chairs. It sometimes seems taht the students are focusing more on the uncomfortablly hard chairs then the lesson being presented
I believe that the learning environment has a big effect on the instructional process. If the students are enjoying both the instructor and the cirriculum, I believe that they will get more out of their learning opportunity. Some ways I see as making that happen is for the instructor to be fair with the rules but also try to keep the environment light hearted and fun. If the students are having fun, they might not realize that they are actually learning until it's too late for them not to. This can be accomplished by a number of ways. Group activities, contests to see who can do it the best and then analyzing what the students that weren't the top group could have done better. These are just 2 ideas I see as to using the learning environment to maximize the instructional process.
Hi Mugsy,
Absolutely! Color, layout and interesting displays all contribute big picture of a positive learning environment. We as instructors need to see through our students' eyes sometimes in terms of what they encounter when they first enter the classroom or lab.
Gary
Hi Gary, In answer to your quiry the imviroment can be a important factor in promoteing a positive attitude as well as promoteing intrest with out the instructor doing anything at all! IE interesting displays of various types covering the subject at hand and even color schemes to cheer the students and staff alike!
Mugsy
I took a master's level course in classroom control. The text book was excellent. One statement that stood out was that one establishes classroom control in the first SIX seconds of the class!
Hi Scott,
Great job of setting up the classroom/lab to engage the students from the very beginning. They do like to see what they will be working on and learning about. This visual experience ties in with what you are telling them and helps with the motivation factor.
Gary
Walking into a classroom for the first time is going to set the mood for the student. If the classroom is bland, dull or not visualy stimulating, the students just seem to sit down and look bored before the day has even started. When students walk into my class, their impression is usualy "Wow" What's this? Are we going to be working with these?. Having different parts of the course painted on the walls as well as different things for them to see and play with tend to peak the students interests.
the learning enviroment plays a major role in the success of the student. I teach in an automotive college enviroment, in a course that is regularly viewed by the students as the "toughest on campus". While the equipment can appear formidable, exposing them to the components, in a classroom enviroment seems to help minimize the intimidation they feel when working on the equipment the first time.
I feel that the learning environment should be free of issues such as temperature extremes, poor visability, uncomfortable seating or seating arrangements. Seating should be arranged in such a way as to allow each student full visability of the material being discussed. The classroom or lab should be set up in such a way as to allow for easy movement and access to and from any student and the instructor.
The environment in which the instructional process takes place should be both comfortable and supportive . This type of setting provides an opportunity for students to focus better on the course content.
The learning environment can be structural changed (seating arrangements)so that better interactions can occur among students as well as between the instructor and the students.
Thanks for sharing your approach. I do believe that these are good ideas that I can implement in my classroom.
Hi Joseph,
Thank you for sharing your approach to the class environment and introductions. You set a learning stage that is ready for students to enter and succeed in the class.
Keep up good work.
Gary
The learning environmenet sets the stage for the students.
Just like going to a movie, show or other event...
the setup of the class (stage/arena) is critical to the comfort of the participant.(student)
Next,
the students are informed of what to expect via news presentation or a program which outlines and lists all of the rules, players (courses) and timing for the event (Class)
To this extent I greet my new students, my room is setup in a horseshoe design where I can sit in the middle and interact at a more personal level.
The board has the correct date, my Name, A welcome to TPAT 1 Message and a daily outline of what we will cover.
I believe that names are important and have made it my goal over the years to learn the students names within the first 2 days. I will ask during role how they would like to be addressed and then use that particular name..once I had a student who preferred the nickname Sparky...so for 4 weeks of class that is the way I called upon him.
My room is full of course related material...books etc.
I show the students the course books they will receive and the tools and equipment we will use.
We take a shop tour and I introduce them to our lab area and equipment.
In class we use circuit trainers and a very elaborate complete auto mock up of a 93 Toyota...we operate the systems-- headlights, brakes, radio, wipers and accessories...some working and other not (by design)
Each day I cover the outline and repeat it after each break period. Finally at the end of each day I recap what we did and what to expect the next day. I even change the board while they are in class to reflect the next days schedule...
Did I mention the chairs...they are comfortable and supportive while limiting movement which could be a distraction.
Walls are adorned with Course related pictures and posters...
I always have one final tip for a great learning environment...I ask the students to bring daily a good attitude. I tell them I will do the same..."Leave your troubles outside the classroom," if you need them they will wait for you until class is over...Ha-ha.
Humor always helps...
