Katie,
I agree. Walking into a lab that reflects the field and is ready for them to interact with means a lot to students. They can see that effort has been put forth to get the lab ready for their learning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I find that in a well organized lab, students are more aware and accountable for their materials, have a higher degree of respect for the equipment, and conduct themselves in a more professional manner.
Regina,
The learning environment sometimes is overlooked in instructional planning yet it plays as you have said such an important part in the total learning process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The learning environment can give a positive or negative effect on the student. If there is to much noise the student can lose there focus on the activities or the instuctor. Also in some situations if it is too quite it can cause student to fall asleep. The temputure of the room must also be at the right place.
Karen,
This is true so instructors need to "read" the learning environment in relation to what activities are going to be used and the learning structure that is required.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think the learning environment depends on the objective. The class may be noisy and interactive for one objective (partners, small groups, etc.), and quiet for another (review, self-test, etc.).
Rebecca,
This is a a very important part of the teaching process. The more you can set your classroom or lab up to reflect the career field in which the students will be working the easier the transition for the students when they complete their program.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The learning environment is vital in instructional process. It establishes familiarity and allows the students to develop routine within a working (especially a clinical) environment.
Michael,
This is such an important part of establishing a supportive learning environment. In addition, if using the example you cite a student is preparing to become a motorcycle mechanic then the more you can creative such an environment the easier their transition will be to the work place.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In reading all of the different post, it helps me to confirm my beliefs that knowing your students and knowing and understanding that the situation dictates what type of environment would make the most conducive environment for learning. If a student is learning how to become a motorcycle mechanic then the best environment may be an atmosphere such as a motorcycle service center where the student can learn to feel at home in this type of setting. If a student were studying algebra, then a quiet classroom setting would be more appropriate.
Brian,
How do you set up your learning environment for maximum learning success?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
James,
This is a fun and informative way to give value to what you are teaching. The more skills students can develop in critical thinking and problem solving the more valuable they will be in the work place.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Elly,
You are increasing the value of your course by taking your students to the dental office. They are seeing how the tools and procedures are relevant to their career field and why they need to know how to use and apply the tools and procedures. This is what helps to ramp up their excitement about what they are studying.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Ann,
Consistency and fairness are two elements needed for teaching success. Finding how to balance these two can be a challenge for an instructor at times.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is important for the learning environment to be helpful with the learning process
since I teach electrical motor controls I bring in to class "problem" parts for the students to trouble shoot that will give them experience
I like to take my students to the dental office when teaching how to identify and set up instruments for the different dental procedures. They get very excited about it.
The diversity in students is so vast, I tend to have the propensity to appease all the students at the same time; which does not work all the time. I do not show favoritism, but I do recognize the smarter students when we do group discussions. This does set a good environment.
John,
This is a great service you are providing. You helping your students to gain real world experience while developing their professional skills as service providers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Jason,
This is such a great way to help the students to see the value of what they are being taught. The more the class setting reflects the world in which they will work the easier their transition is going to be upon graduation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
