class room climate control
hello, I get many complaints about the classroom climate...cold/hot and I have no control over the thermastat. What can I do to make my students comfortable?
I like this approach. It is so true that someone is always going to be uncomfortable. Instilling in the students to think ahead and prepare is a life lesson overall.
Hi Sandra,
You handled the situation appropriately. There was nothing you could do with the heat. You tried but that was all you could do. When circumstances are beyond your control you cope as best you can and you did that since you couldn't move your class to another site.
Gary
In the community college where I used to teach, one day the classroom had no AC. I had no access to a fan, but opened the door to the hall, which helped. But then the instructor across the hall complained that with the door open, our noise level was disturbing his class and we had to close it. Some of us were practically fainting, so I dismissed class. (We couldn't go anywhere else.) Does anyone have any suggestions about a better way to have handled that situation?
Hi Charleen,
Good point. Work through the circumstances and keep the students focused on the outcomes.
Gary
If you dont have control over the climate in your room if its too hot have fans brought in and if its too cool have the students bring sweater to wear
I always discuss this on the first day of class. Someone is always too cold or too hot. The thermostats are locked up so I can't take any responsibility for it. That way I can be sympathetic to them.
Hi Rebecca,
Since the temperature is out of your control let the students know it so they won't blame you for the how hot or cold the class is. If the course is too hot you might want to bring in some fans to stir the air around. Then try to focus their attention on the course content and the value of it so they won't be so distracted by the temp. This will be a challenge but it sounds like this is all you can do with the circumstances you are working within.
Gary
I've had this same issue. It's difficult to teach when everyone is uncomfortable, even the instructor. I have brought the issue up to the facilites people. If it's too hot, I often leave the door open to help cirrulate the air. I have also brought in a fan. If it's too cold, I allow students to bring in a blanket to wrap up in. Sounds silly, but sometimes you have to do what you can to connect with the students.
