As a part of the massage therapy curriculum our students work for a period of time in our in house functioning spa. It is a great way to transition from the classroom to the real world.
Kelsey,
Yes it really does. Being in the lab and doing things helps the students to make application of what is being taught while they are seeing the relevancy of the content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Andrea,
We need to see the learning environment through the eyes of our students. When we see it this way we will work to make it a pleasant and comfortable place for them to come.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with this statement. Hands on is a great way to learn, and having the feeling of "I'm actually in a lab and learning" helps out a lot!!
The learning environment effects the ability of the student to learn. If the learning environment is messy, dirty, unorganized, or uncomfortable the student may have a harder time learning.
Heather,
Important to help students to see the environment they will be working in. So the more you can make your class and/or like the job setting the better. This way they will get a realistic picture of their career placement after graduation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
If the environment is not conducive to learning then the students will drift away. The environment should mimick real life job situations.
Stephen,
Right you are. We need to see our labs and classrooms through the eyes of our students. When we do we will make sure the learning environment is comfortable and supportive for our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Learning environments play a vital roll in learning. If the classroom or lab is to hot or cold, this could have a negitave effect on the students trying to grasp the information being taught.
Proper lighting and having the proper room with equipment that will be needed. This could be internet connection, computers, visual aids, proper view of white board, and any over heads being used as well.
Claudia,
It is easy to overlook this element of the teaching plan but students don't. We need to see our environment through the eyes of our students so we can make sure they have a supportive place to learn.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The physical environment sets the tone for the class and expresses how serious you take the course and how much you care about teaching the course. It also lets me invoke some of my personality into an otherwise sterile surrounding.
Nicole,
Having such a setting for your students helps to ease their transition from the classroom to the workplace because they know what it looks like and how it operates. We need to do everything we can to help them see what the workplace is going to be like for them upon graduation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I too work at in a career training center. I agree that is important to have the working lab/clinic reflect industry standards. Our students are learning the process and not just that, but by having a "real" working area, it makes them feel more comfortable when they enter the workforce.
Maritza,
This is why it is so important to look at our environment through the eyes of our students. This way we can make sure to have an environment that is supportive and welcoming to our learners.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Enviroment plays a huge part in a learning enviroment. It can distract the student from class. It can make it stressful if it's not functional.
Bruce,
Right you are about the learning environment and how just a little change in it can result in big benefits. Students need to feel supported in their learning and that needs to come from both the instructor and the physical environment.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Joy,
Well described as a learning site. This is what our classrooms and labs should be like if they are going to support the learning of our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The learning environment plays an essential role in the learning process. It is evident that students would prefer a certain “time and place†where learning should take place; that is, certain environment can bring out the best in a student. However, only the student can determine this situation and therefore have the ability to pick and choose where learning takes place. It is essential for the instructor/facilitator to recognize that learning is not conducive in every environment. Lippman (2010) points out (and rightfully so) that the classroom has not change in decades and my adding new technology (blackboards, etc) does not necessarily change the environment but simply change the learning tool. Consequently, there need to be a restructuring of the “physical environment†with the integration of technology that will provide the ideal learning environment. For example, it is like taking the entire class out on a (slightly windy) sunny day, under a tree discussing (let’s say) a case--The environment would change the entire nature and tone of the discussion. And students who would not normally participate would suddenly become proactive in the discussion/learning process.
Very important! I believe the environment needs to strike the perfect balance: comfortable, but not enough to affect focus, exciting, but not distracting, business-like, but not too formal. The students need to feel like it is a welcome place where they aren't afraid to interact with each other.
Glenn,
This is such a great service to and for your students. The more connections you can make between the course and the real world the better. The result will be a much easier transition for your students into their employment settings.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
