In my opinion, it's hard to overemphasize the importance of the learning environment in the instructional process. I have taught in very small rooms with no windows and a pillar in the center of the room, and the impact on the students is huge. Each class, we found ourselves struggling with these limitations--they were so obvious that they frequently disrupted the instruction and even made students question the value of their education at the school. Conversely, I have also taught in state-of-the-art classrooms with full-featured computer and projector setups, and these send a very different message.
Most fundamentally, though, I think the learning environment is about how students feel welcome in the space, not just the physicality of the space itself. Whether the content matter is easy or not, it's crucially important to me that my students feel welcome, feel able to speak their minds, and feel that I care about their educational development. A positive learning environment, established from day 1, can do wonders to achieve this.
The learning environment sets the tone for instruction. The exterior environment if possible should be condusive to the area of study; however, the interpersonal relationships that are established more often than not, help the student feel comfortable and secure and more confident in learning.
A learning environment sets the tone for the what to expect in the "real world" and can motivate based on those expectations.
Hi Abigail,
You are still on the right path with your students even if you can't reproduce the real world setting of their career area. By emphasizing professionalism you are encouraging their career growth and development. This will serve them well in the very near future.
Gary
I agree that the learning environment should be as close to the professional environment the student strives to be in. With the courses thought in my industry it can be difficult to recreate the professional environment. We rely on what we can express and tell the students on how important professionalism is but it can be difficult if some have not had "real world" hands on experience.
The learning environment should be setup to closely mirror current trends and real world activities and the instructional content needs to take this into consideration. I have taught classes where the students were expected to learn how to setup a computer network (instructional process) and learning environment was not setup to accomplish this.
This is also very true in the culinary arts program as well.
the learning environment should be as close to a copy to what the students will see in the field after they have completed the course.
I think the environment is very important. if students are not comfortable. If the environment is distracting students will not learn. It is important for instructors to advocate for students in that situation.
I teach an advanced training program for students. This is a manufacture specific program so it is even more important that there is a WOW factor when the students arrive on the first and every other day after that. The classroom must be kept neat and organized each day; we require this of the students the whole time they are here and working on the vehicles so we have to set an example for them. This is very important that the student learns from the very beginning that they need to be clean and organized when they are working on these expensive vehicles that this is what we require and what the customer expects.
Randy Santly
First, the learning environment can not be all things to all students. Students and instructors need to adapt to some of the limitations that can not be changed. With that said I believe the learning environment is one of three key elements of the classroom. The other two are the student's attitude, and the instructor's commitment.
I think fear is an enemy to learning. Students must have an environment that is friendly to making mistakes. Mistakes are part of the learning process. Instructional correction should be made with the idea that we want to encourage the student to go beyond what they think they can do.
The classroom environment plays a huge part in providing the students a desirable learning experience. A welcoming, calming and friendly environment will put the first time student at ease, giving them a sense of belonging rather than alienation. ceating that feeling of belonging is the first step to a positive Instructor/Studnet relationship.
The learning environement is extremeley important for students, as they need to be surrounded by items that help foster understanding.
A classroom equipped with the most up to date technology for thier field is of utmost importance.
Hi Patricia,
I think I had the same teacher. Most of us do somewhere in our educational experience. Sad, isn't it when such a person that can impact lives in a positive way decides to make life uncomfortable for everyone. Good lesson for us to remember as we go into the classroom each day.
Gary
Hi Bobby,
Great outline of how you approach and cover your classes. Each element is critical in contributing to student success. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Dear Dr. Meers,
The learning environment must be one that supports and allows the student to feel comfortable and safe while studying his/her studies, objectives and goals to achieve the required goals and outlines of their course of study. I, as the instructor also affect the setting. If I meet all the requirements set on me my the state, I must also make each and every student feel comfortable with me as a person and a mentor, and know that they can count on me to be fair and honest with their requests, concerns and demands. Sufficient school supplies should also meet the needs of all students in the class, and teaching aids(audio, visual, and tactile)should always be available in every classroom and for every student. Also any aids that are needed for handicapped or special needs students should also be addressed.
Bobby
Because each student is different, it is hard to choose exactly which learning environment would be best. So therefore it would be best to have an environment that appeals to all sorts of students with all sorts of learning styles. I always try to convey important information three ways: I write it down so they can see it (visual learners), I say it so they hear it (auditory learners) and I have them write it, or do some sort of activity with the information (kinesthetic learners) so it will stick.
I addition, I try to vary the environment so that all types of students will feel comfortable at least some of the time. Those who feel comfortable in a traditional classroom setting have those days of lecture when I talk and they listen. I intersperse those times with group activities or collaboration for those who learn best that way. I also try to have some sort of unusual or interesting activity for those who get bored easily to look forward to.
I agree that the learning environment should be comfortable for effective learning and discussion. Also, the environment must always remain very professional as it would at a job. The environment should reflect their future career environment.
I believe the learning environment play a very big role in the learning process. For example, as a VN (vocational nursing) student I had a very negative teacher in the clinical setting. She was also very mean to our class. We would avoid her like the plague. The learning environment must be a positive one in order to get your message across to the students.
While the students should find a comfortable learning environment, it should also simulate real - life experience. A classroom is not sufficent for a chef, and a garage is not sufficent for a biology course... It's tough to simulate this in a normal classroom that has become all too familiar to students...
