Without the proper tools, and a good, inspirational setting, there is little to no motivation. If everything has to come from the teacher, that teacher better be exceptional.
Few teachers can (or should have to) rely completely on their personalities for inspiration. Classroom tools and the overall learning environment should also help to inspire students.
"What role does the learning environment play in the instructional process?"
It should closely simulate the real world environment or situations the student will encounter so that the student will be better prepared to deal with them.
Is to give the students a relaxing and open mind to absorve all the material, and it also makes the students fell relax and confortable in the place where they always dream.
I completely agree with James when he said that "learning environment should be as close to a copy to what the students will see in the field". This will give the student the true picture of what to expect after graduation. Like I always tell my VN students in clinicals,you are dealing with real patients not dommies, you really have to treat them with respect,dignity and empathy. As this will determine the type of Vocational Nurse you will be after graduation.
If the environment is not comfortable and condusive to learning, the instructor is fighting an uphill battle. By making the setting comfortable for the instructor and the students, all can concentrate on the course content.
I feel that the learning environment plays a vital role in how students should perceive the actual workforce environment.
It is important for the learning environment to be as similar as possible to what the students will encounter once working so that they may not feel alienated or perplexed.
It also makes the student feel more like a professional in their field.
The learning environment plays a huge role in the learning process. We are products of our environment and thus learn from out environment, right? So, the more enriching the learning environment, the more enriching the learning experience, which leads ultimately to greater knowledge retention.
I also teach online and spend my first live chat lecture acquainting the students with the Virtual Classroom. I conduct a tour and answer questions. We go over assignments and where to submit them. I also offer PowerPoint turtorials on subjects such as 'Submitting to the Course Gallery' that I post under Instructor Files that students can review. I find by going over these topics in an introductory lecture will answer many questions for the student who is new to on-line learning and cut down on emails requesting individual assitance.
It is essential that the learning environment for any course have the required personal space that an individual student needs to complete their in-class assignment solutions in a satisfactory manner.
The learming enviornment is important to show students some of the clinical aspects of their profession along with the technical component of knowing the anatomy and physiology.
To help students feel comfortable in the course so they can suceed
Hi Dennis,
You make a very good point about how the online environment can be made comfortable for students like the on ground courses. Different strategies are used but comfort can still be created. We need to share those ideas as more and more instructors are teaching online courses.
Gary
You make a good point that the online environment is not for everyone. An online student must be self-motivated. The first session of online learning is a matter of making the students feel comfortable with the technology. A longer or better developed orientation on the system would be beneficial for new students.
The online environment seems to pose high levels of discomfort for many students, as when they first start in the online school, they are unfamilair with the territory. This impedes their ability to deal with tasks and the supporting materials. Once the instructor can help them feel comfortable there, the learning enviorment becomes rich with learning opportunities, as many online classrooms have so many resources that guide the student to a successful outcome.
It is important and will make or break students. I my experiences an average teacher in an average environment is far more effective than a GREAT teacher in a poor environment.
The learning environment should be similar to the environment students expect to work in. Also, the learning environment must be a place where students feel comfortable and compelled to ask questions, give comments, and work well with the instructor and other students.
The learning envrionment needs to be comfortable for the student. Students learn differently and the environment can be helpful. For example, the online courses are a self-paced, self-learning environment. Not all students may be able to utilize this type of a learning envrionment. Students need to realize their own qualities and motivations to help assist them in their learning activities.
I agree that the students need hands on real life training, To understand what they have to look forward to.
Being that I teach in an online environment it is sometimes very difficult. With some students intending to do the minimum which we now make possible by posting assignments. Live sessions are optional which is also a detriment with only 5 - 9% of the students bothering to attend. Estimates are that only 40 - 45% of the students will play the archives. With announcements, e-mail, and live sessions, some students create a more than difficult learning envioronment.
Hi Michelle,
Your second sentence deals with an important point. Since the students are students they need to have the opportunity to test ideas and solutions out in a low risk environment. The classroom is that environment. They can do their projects under the supervision of a content expert and as a result the evaluation of that expert gives them confidence in the growth of their expertise. As we know once we graduate we are on our own so it is nice to know that for a while we have someone to help us when we are learning. I think this point is lost on some students as they think of instructors as being critical rather than being supportive. We are not but we do have to evaluate student progress and provide input where needed.
Gary
