I think that the more interaction you have with the students the more they will "take to your teaching efforts. IE Anything hands on, involve them in discussion and dont let your personal beliefs get in the way of listening to another side of the topic. Just my thoughts.
Eloise,
It is easy to overlook the environment at times. We need to remember to see the classroom/lab through the eyes of our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The environment should be conducive to learning,
ie. space, arrangement of space, training materials, etc.
William,
Critical thinking and problem solving are essential for career success. You are providing opportunities for your students to gain experience in these two areas through your teaching strategy. This will serve them well when they are out in the field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I teach HVAC to young and middle aged adults. I am used to working around old equipment. That we can 'bug' to give our students a real world test. It's all a thinking, step one to step two then we do this sort of repair.
Having a nice clean air contioned room. With confortable tables, chairs, moderen white boards and state of the art projects is the real deal. When,having to intro the basics to the students first.
Jennifer,
Common problem we face. I talk individually with such a student and try to understand why they don't care to be there. Then I work with them to create a learning plan that will engage them. If they still don't want any part of the class I move on knowing I have done all that I can to engage them. I hate to admit the fact that I can't reach every student but I do know I have completed my end of the educational bargain and the rest is up to them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
So how do you try to engage someone that has the attitude that they dont want to be there
Eurico,
Good point and something we instructors need to remember to consider as we do our instructional planning. We need to see our instructional setting through the eyes of our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Lisa,
So true because as you know it is so easy for students to withdraw or never become engaged since there is not the fact to face check that goes with on ground courses.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It set the condition of the learning process to attain effective and satisfying.
As a primary online instructor,it is important that I create environment that is interactive and that I have a presence in the course.
It sets the tone. The environment has to be dedicated to the class. Anything that is distracting will be bad for the class's focus.
The learning environment is key to the learning experience. The instructor should ensure that the temperature, noise level and general confort are maintain to maximize the learning experience.
The learning environment sets the whole tone for learning. It is extremely important to keep the learning environment positive and full of great instruction.
Dennis,
You got that right. We have to support our students with an environment that will help them learn rather than be uncomfortable.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Nazanin,
Good for you. You are doing a great service to and for your students by trying to the best of your ability to reduce any distractions from their learning success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
There is nothing worse than trying to concentrate and learn in an environment that is uncomfortable, noisy, lacking in supplies, or hostile. The mind cannot relax and begin to learn until its very basic needs are met.
It is very crucial to take away all possible distractions and pressures and leave the student with nothing but the course content. All they have to do then is to do their part and learn what is being presented. As an instructor, I would feel very guilty to know that the students are sitting in the class worrying about some specific issue for which I am resposible for. I would go above and beyond to remove any obstacles that are the cause of distraction from the course itself.
The learning environment is very important and perhaps the easiest to control. Thought and prepration should be put into the classroom environment. This may sound obvious but I have noticed situations where proper planning has not been given.
Len,
Good list of ways to set the stage for learning opportunities. This is what will engage students and get them focused on the value from what is being taught.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
