Learning environment is important it makes the students want to be in class and stat in class. Alot of times I start with attention getters or tell a story of an experience I have had in the field. Then move on to lecture then lab. Videos are always great to they are visual which always helps.
Richard,
Good way of addressing how the learning environment needs to adjust to the students and the ebb and flow of the class. By doing so the students will not lose their way in the learning process but stay focused on the content being offered.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The learning environment should play a complimentary part to the instructional process. By this I mean creating an environment which may be more intense for an intensive, very important topic, or somewhat more laid back for an easier, less critical component of the subject matter. Flexibility is important, the ability to adapt to a changing situation, or environment.
Kenneth,
I am a big fan of guest speakers and field trips for the reasons you list. The places you take your students are the places they will be visiting once they are on the road. They need to see what the places are like and how they will fit into them as they prepare to become professionals in this field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sheila,
Yes, they do and they are so valuable to students. They get to see and learn about where they are heading in their careers. These visits can be real motivators as well.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As a Commercial Vehicle driving Instructor, I often take the students on road trips, I take them through weigh stations, and allow them to talk to DOT officers; also, I take them to places like Truck stops and shipping and receiving areas. This really gets the student excited about his/her new career. It is extremely satisfying to see their expressions, hear their comments, etc.
Everybody loves a field trip! learning environment is what keeps them interested.
Nathaniel,
Good examples thanks for sharing them. You created a mental image for me of trying to study while stuck in the center seat on a 10 hr flight. Have been there and it was not a positive experience. The internal motivation that students bring to the class has a big impact on their learning. I have been in some horrible situations in developing countries and yet the students are there because they know the value of education and how it can create a future for them. On the other hand we need to strive to create a supportive environment for our students to the maximum extent possible and then be a strong learning leader for them. Learning will occur if we can help them see the value of what is being taught.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The learning environment can be an asset that you leverage to increase learning and retention. Perhaps the learning environment is not as important when teaching/learning "book" knowledge as it when learning physical skills.
As the Harvard instructor mentioned last section, skills are best learned in-field or in-lab (tennis serving example).
I'm learning now, as I type, in a poor environment. I'm not physically comfortable and the lighting is dim. However, learning is still occurring.
I imagine I could learn this virtual material stuck between two people on a 10 hour flight. Serving tennis... not so much.
Brandon,
Guest speakers can be an addition to the site visits because these individuals will be able to share the real world experiences that they have gone through. Something you might want to try as well would be to have the students shadow a professional in the field for a few hours or days just to gain some additional insight into their soon to be world. I would let them know it is OK to be nervous on their first few jobs because almost everyone is no matter what career they are in. There is a big difference between being a student and being the one in charge of delivering need required services. Most of us instructors still get nervous when we start a new class and this is after many years of teaching. The key is to manage the nerves and get about the task at hand and before the students know it they will be settled into the job and forget about how uncomfortable they were.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I feel that the learning environment plays a huge part in the instructional process. I teach a live sound course. Our equipment is on par with most venues in the city and most pieces are industry standard, however we hold our class in our theater.
We host Open Mic Nights in the theater as well, which helps the students see the classroom as a real world work environment, however conditions are less than ideal and don't truly replicate the real world.
I make a point to take my students on a field trip to a local venue every semester so they can see a fully working venue in a real world setting. I also have my students attend a concert of their choosing and research the venue so they can get a new perspective of the room.
These supplemental measures help, but the feedback I'm getting suggests that students still feel uncomfortable and unfamiliar on their first few jobs.
What else can I do to help bring the real world into my classroom?
George,
As I am a hands on learner I always enjoyed the times when we went out into the shop. By doing so with your students you are validating why you are teaching the content you are because the students get to see how the content can be applied. This helps to make the course relevant to them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Some of the things I have noticed about learning environment is that the classroom is not always the best setting. on occasions I will uses the shop to explain systems. This helps students with a break from just sitting and taking notes and involves them with the actual vehicles they will be working on. It also serves to show the obstacles that working on a vehicle rather that a mock up will present.
Deborah,
I use case studies and scenarios a lot in my teaching as well. I really like how these two strategies get the students involved and using the content that has been shared with them. I know your students are excited they get to use what they are learning in an applied manner.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
They learning environment is key to successful teaching. I teach fashion to very creative students. This requires me to ensure that they are comfortable and trust in my expertise.
My thoughts exactly Dr. Meers. It is easy to lose the student, early in the course, if you do not work on the environment. Thanks you.
In my situation teaching medical assistant skills, I enjoy setting up and creating scenarios related to the skills my students are learning during the class session. My students walk into the classroom with curiosity, interest, and excitement of learning the knowledge and the skills.
David,
While this may appear to be common sense for many schools, the learning environment is often overlooked and as you say has a negative impact if it is not set up correctly and in a way that invites learning. The environment can become a major distraction if we let it.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The learning environment can be, in many ways, everything. You may have planned out the course, right down to the number of pencils provided. However, if the classroom is not set up correctly, you will not succeed in achieving your learning outcomes. Is it too cramped for the number of students? Is it too large, will the student be able to hide? Does the area allow you to interact, is interaction on a personal level needed? Is the room prepared correctly, material ready to go...working? You may be a the most prepared instructor in history, but if you cruise in late, to a mess, appear frazzled, you are done!
The learning environment is extremely important to the learning process. Instruction should occur in a comfortable environment that is conducive to learning. Students should be provided with adequate support resources in order to effectively accomplish the course objectives.
