In teaching Nursing, there are 2 environments to consider: the classroom setting and the clinical setting. The clinical setting is the more challenging of the two as students need to become comfortable with interacting with patients and facility staff. This has been accomplished by the use of therapeutic communications with patients and professional conversations with staff. As the Instructor, positive reinforcement of successfully accomplishing these interventions is necessary.
Heather,
It is important to engage all students in discussions and activities. Your approach is a good way to do this. Working in small groups enables even the most shy students to contribute. In addition all students learn how to work with different personalities in different settings. This is going to be valuable when they are out in the workplace.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think it is important to find ways to make it comfortable for students to participate- maybe small group or pairs work- from the beginning of a course. Set the tone that everyone encouraged participate from the beginning. If the students feel uncomfortable participating, they may not be engaging in the material and it may be difficult for the instructor to know if they are understanding the material until a poor evaluation.
Stephanie,
This is a good way to get their attention so when you share content with them they see the connection between the content and the objects in the lab. This creates value to them as they start to learn how to use the materials and equipment based upon the information you have delivered to them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The learning environment is very important to the instructional process. I like to have my students surrounded by materials and equipment that is familiar to them, so they can visualize different things while we are discussing them.
Corean,
The environment is a key part of the total education picture. We need to find a comfortable setting for our students so they can focus on the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I see the most beneficial results when the class is not worried about if it is too cold or too hot. They are then able to pay attention to the lecture, watch the video and I use return demonstration. The students tend to volunteer more to return demonstrate rather than my having to call on someone.
The learning environment helps set the tone for the transfer of knowledge for the instructor to the students.
Manal,
This is the learning site that most students want to be in. Being respected and supported goes a long way in their wanting to come to class each time it meets and seeing the value of what is being taught.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The friendly and interactive learning environment help the students to think more, brainstorm ideas and research for new information, we should always try to connect learning to real life situations, and find a problem to discuss and make the students part of the solution. quest speakers, field trips, role playing, and real stories, group work, and more creative activities should be applied in class to attract and engage students and get their attention :)
James,
It is the foundation upon which the activities of the course are built. Students need to be comfortable and supported as they undertake the learning process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The biggest role of the learning environments play in the education of a student I believe is comfort. If a student feels comfortable, he/she belongs to a group focused on their education.
I believe the environment needs to be created daily depending upon the subject matter, student counts, mood of the the students for the day, even the weather outside plays a role to the overall mood of the students and the learning environment.I will always mingle with my students in the hallways and outside the classroom in order to get a feel of the energy to better assess how I will start the class. Of course I have my written notes and materials that I will be going over with the students for the day, however, my initial introductions and interactions play heavily in my delivery.
Sandy,
I think this is a great way to support the environment as well as your current students. By having previous students share their experiences you are helping the current students to see the value of the course content and make application of the concepts being presented.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Joseph,
Your expansion on the value of a supportive environment is right on. We need to see the total environment not just the physical as you mention if we are to engage our students at a higher level.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The learning enviornment should be relevant to the instructional process. The instructor should be relevant to the learning environment. I think a great way to engage our students in the learning environment is by inviting students who have completed the instructional process and are now living and breathing the application of the learning they absorbed while they were in school.
Hi Andrea,
I agree that the physical space can really have an impact on instructional outcomes. My favorite rooms to teach in are rooms that are conducive to active collaboration. I particularly like rooms where tables are arranged for group work and active engagement. I'm not necessarily a big proponent of rows and aisles. I much prefer a circle or small group tables for the writing classes I teach.
-Joseph
The environment plays a large role in the instructional process. Beyond aspects of the physical room like the setup of desks in rows or in a circle, the environment also refers to the rapport among students and the instructor. In this regard, the environment is much more than the physical room itself. The dynamism of an effective learning environment is pivotal to the instructional process. Without a solid learning environment, little learning will take place.
In my field, the environment is crucial. Students need not only to be engaged and attentive, but also must demonstrate safety, efficiency, speed, and cleanliness. If the lab is not thoughtfully set up, an already difficult curriculum is made even more challenging.
Johndrea,
So true. Students like change of pace and variety in their instructional delivery. The more you can do this the greater the opportunity for them to work within their learning preferences.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
