It is essential to have a good learning environment to have successful students. If a classroom does not make the students feel welcomed, comfortable, and engaged then they are less likely to learn.
The learning environment is critical to the instructional process. For example, if you are trying to teach the students a class on proper security processes of digital medical records, it would be impossible to do in a classroom that has no computers.
Or if you were trying to teach a basic first aid class on how to open an airway and had no medical "dummies" for students to practice what they have learned.
The learning environment is very important to the instructional process.
Landis
This allow the instructor to make decisions that will help foster learning in the classroom for the students.
Ryan,
This is so important because you do not want to shock the students when the enter the workplace but ease them into the setting through experiences and settings that replicate what they will encounter when they are working.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students can learn in a multitude of environments and we should be encouraging students to consider the idea of life long learning. Every day is an opportunity to learn not only in the classroom but from life experiences and each other. Creating an environment conducive to learning in the classroom can occur with things like appropriate lighting and adequate seating but to create effects such as collaboration the seating should be arranged accordingly. Keeping in mind varying learning styles the environment should allow for all styles of learning to occur in order to reach each student.
I believe the learning environment should be to help the student what they will be facing in the real world once class has ended.
The learning environment is key. The students need to have a good understanding of what is expected of them and feel comfortable coming into class with instructors and classmates that they can communicate with.
Laneita,
You make such a good point in regard to adult learners. They often require additional support as they transition back into being students. The more we can know about them and their life experiences the more we can tailor our instruction to provide them with success and support. With success and support comes confidence and then they really take off in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Cristina,
The more experience you can provide your students in the real world the better. I use field trips and guest speakers a lot in my classes so they will be able to get a realistic picture of what they are going to experience when they graduate.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The learning environment is extremely important and seems especially so for adult learners. For many it is hard to return to school and they are not sure of their abilities. Also, and I seem to be seeing this more lately, if the students are of diversified ages, I can sometimes see the younger students intentionally and unintentionally being a bully to the older student. This is detrimental to the older learner, especially during the beginning of their return to school. It is important to stop this as soon as possible. The learning environment has to be inviting for all.
I believe that it is very important to take student out of the normal environment so they can see that what we are teaching them is what out there in the really world. And I think it helps them have a better understanding.
It's very important for the learning environment whether it be the classroom or lab area to be a direct reflection on the instructor. By this I mean proper lab set ups for every lesson plan discussed in the classroom, a class environment that excites all levels of individual learners. A learning environment that is free of narrow mindedness,and strongly promotes discussions of the subject at hand, will accentuate any learning environment. I believe the learning environment is the starting point towards the students positive attitudes.
Michael,
Good strategy to follow in terms of seeing the learning environment through the eyes of your students. This way you can create a setting that is supportive and engaging for to and for them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The environment in which you learn and is such an important part of the entire process. Can you imagine trying to learn in a room where construction is happening next door and there's constant jack hammering and other loud noises.
It would be next to impossible ..now we have a culture where noise comes in all sorts of flavors and colors. We have digital noise, we have the noise of our constant interactive lifestyles, and then we have the noise that is around us in our environments. I tried to set up an environment for my classes in which we eliminate most of that and we can just focus on the materials.
Brian,
Learning requires hard work and self discipline but this does not mean that learning cannot be fun for students. We need to incorporate strategies that engage students and capture their interest. This why your point is such a good one in relation to instructional planning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The learning environment is very important to the instructional process. When a learning environment is fun the student will stay focused and, absorb the material being taught. If you create a dull environment the exact opposite will occur.
Tammy,
So true and this is why we need to see our classrooms and labs through the eyes of our students. When we do this we can make sure to have the environment in order and organized in a way that will support their learning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe the learning environment plays an important part in the instructional process.The environment can make the student feel comfortable and allow them to relax. The right environment will encourage them to participate.
Kenneth,
I do both because of the point you make about how much students love to hear from those in the field or go see people in action. These visits help to increase the value of the content to and for the students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Robert,
How to you do this with your students? Do they do this once a week, one time or is it like an externship?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
