Poor Environments
Even if the learning environment is not ideal, instructors need to be positive and persevere.
I agree. We do need technical support to keep the computers, printers and projectors working in order to deliver a lecture!
Hi Jeffrey,
Sometimes students are looking for excuses not to be positive about a course and if the instructor complains about the environment then they will pick up on it. You make a good point about needing to focus on the content and make it the number one goal of the class.
Gary
When learning enviroments are not ideal it is the instructor that needs to make the enviroment work for the course content. maybe make it more interactive so that they don't ponder on the surroundings or use the enviroment as part of the lesson. Don't allow the students to find excuses though for not succeding find the positive and run with it.
Sometimes it's the general feeling or emotional environment at the school that are challenging. A positive outlook is always better than a negitive one.:-D
Hi Bryan,
Been there and did that. Didn't like it. Taught one year in the furnace room in the basement of our building. My students were great because they worked hard keeping on task even when the area was way too hot and steamy. These were some dedicated students. Sounds like you made the best of a poor situation and was able to teach in spite of not because of the setting. Keep up the good work.
Gary
In some instances the classroom shape is not ideal. I have had to instruct in classrooms that are too narrow for the width and have ended up with two (2) groups of students. It is almost like instructing to two (2) different groups. It makes it difficult to keep the attention of all the students. I have made it so I am in the middle with students on both sides, and then have the students face each other. I have alsways like to have students face each other as it enables them to direct discussion type classes to each other.
This was an eye opener for me especially in the winter months when the classroom was freezing cold. I had to stress that the temperature will be ideal at the next class. Give students breaks to get something hot especially if the class is about four hours long. This way they will not concentrate on being cold, using anecodotes that will aid in their learning the material.
