it sets the mood of the class. if students are comfortable in their learning envronment education will take place.
Desmomd,
Right you are about the influence the environment has on the learning of students. I use a horse shoe seating arrangement for the reason you mention. Each student is on the front row and as a result I have increased participation by everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It gives the student a place that is condusive to learning.
The learning environment contributes to setting the mood so to speak. For example, a seating arrangement can promote either group discussion or individual study. As an instructor, ive noticed that by placing students in circles it promotes a group effort. If i was to place them in rows, it promotes the notion that they must work individually.
It's set a reality check for the students to take them out the classroom and into the setting.
Lisa,
Seeing the learning environment through the eyes of the students is important. We are professional educators so we need to work in a professional environment which is our classrooms and labs. Sometimes we have to teach in less that desirable settings and students will understand and cope with it for a while but the college administration should move to get the best equipment and have it available in a supportive learning environment. Our students are paying good money to receive good educations and the learning environment is a major part of their educational experience. Thanks for the good comments.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The learning environment must be comfortable for the student. The learning climate is so crucial in the sense that the surroundings in the room must be comfortable and acceptable. The student is most likely learning a new concept and all conditions must be compatible so that the student can focus on the learning potential and not other circumstances that may hinder his or her learning styles.
Lisa Johnstone
David,
So true. With a poor environmental setting learning starts to fall away and class management becomes a problem.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Heather,
Yes, it is. This is how you get a course off to a good start.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Everything. It sets the mood and overall tone for the class. if the environment is distractive or uncomfortable students will be less likely to perform well
I agree! Building the students up and making them feel welcomed is crucial to their success.
MICHELE,
You have covered the value of a positive and supportive learning environment very well. This should be our first effort as educators. Once we have the environment set up we are then ready to receive and teach students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Adam,
You are fortunate to have such a great setting for your students. The more we can simulate the work place the easier the transition will be for our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Jessica,
This is how I want my lab as well because I want my students to know I have gone to the effort to prepare for their coming. As a result I want them to become engaged and focused on the learning objectives for that day.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Gordon,
Good point about the learning environment. We need to look through the eyes of students at the classroom and/or lab to be sure they see a place that they want to be and where they believe learning can take place.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It sets the tone but also how involved the students will be in the learning process
The importance in creating a learning environment is to me is to accommodate the adult learner in a way to help them feel welcome,safe and ready to take on new learning goals. The first day of class is important because with an adult learner the instructor has to really motivate and encourage the student in that their decision to return to college is a beneficial one and important one. Making the student feel that they are welcome (welcoming approach)and reassuring them the we (their educational institution) are their to motivate them and help them through the educational process is essential to their success. As others have said in the past,it only takes a few seconds to make a lasting impression.
As a Computer Science instructor I can say that the learning environment is imperative to the instructional process. At our institution we have a computer lab which assists us in simulating a true IT environment that students will eventually be exposed to. Having an effective learning environment greatly aides in transfer of learning.
it sets the tone for the class and course. When our students walk into the lab, I want everything to be just like walking into a real x-ray room
The learning environment that the students first encounter sets the tone for their initial experience and can affect future accomphisments. what I mean is if a student initialy walks into a lab and it is well lit, the temperature is comfortable, the instructor is dressed appropriately,there is the correct equipment, ect. the student is going to remember that first experience and it will carry over to their future positive accomplishments.
