I think that mentally motivated and emotionally supported are the biggest items. If the student has these two he will have a higher degree of self confidence and feel safe enough to contribute to the class. Some degree of physical comfort is also needed but could be worked around if physical conditions are not optimum and are temporary in nature.
This focuses the student on what is being taught. Distractions such as computers, unrelated course content posters on the walls, too cold or too hot of a room, etc. lead to distractions. I teach lecture courses and the seating comfort level has to be adequate so as to allow the student to think about the course not the uncomfortableness of the chairs. Arrangement of the seating is important as students in a classroom environment tend to want to sit in the back, thinking they won't have to engage as much. I walk to the back and engage the students.
The learning environment must be large enough to accommodate the number of students in the class at all times. If the room is too small and they are forced to sit at lab counters, etc. because there is not enough seating; the course and instructor are at a great disadvantage.
I currently have this situation; and frankly I'm embarrassed.
Ehtesham,
Right you are. Physically students have to be comfortable if they are going to be able to concentrate on what is being taught.
Gary
Thanks Dr. Gary
Enviroment is great factor to learn. If a too hot place or too cold place brain is not work to collect the knowledge. First thing make the comfortable room temperature. Then clean white board with good markers.Also need the powerpoint system
The classroom environment must be conducive to learning. Outside interferences like noise must be minimized, walls must be painted with pastel colors, wall clocks must not be hanged on the walls. From my experience, these are just some of the things that we could implement to improve the learning environment effect.
Pearlmarie,
Good point about the characteristics of an instructor. We need to always keep in mind the impression we are making on the students.
Gary
I once heard that successful learning/teaching can take place with a willing student sitting on one end of a log and a good teacher sitting on the other end. So, where are we now? One answer would have to address: "What is the evidence that learning took place?" There is always the question, "Is good teaching from training or is good teaching an art?"
I have found that people in general can tell if a teacher likes students, teaching, and life. Education is people oriented as well as being knowledge and skill based.
The appropriate learning enviorment foster's better student understanding and content retention.
Frances,
Good way to include your students in the course even though they are not on site. This form of reaching out to them is very effective because they feel included in the learning process and are less apt to drop out.
Gary
Hi Jonathan,
Since I teach online, I have to have my materials uploaded to the chat room before the class starts so I am basically forced to make sure that all my materials are ready before class starts.
When I taught on site, I visited the classroom ahead of time to make sure the computer and overhead screen worked since it was a major component of my classroom delivery.
And classroom temperature was a constant problem.
Frances
Since I teach only online classes, we do not have the usual physical classroom, but we do have some of the physical aspects to think about. For example, students have to be comfortable with the fact that they do not see me or the other students but still have to be comfortable interacting.
I make sure that I have the appropriate slide presentations available so that students can visualize the information that is being covered which I think helps them be more comfortable in asking questions during the chat session.
Since I teach a software applications class, I also make sure that I demonstrate how to use the tools in the particular software that is needed for that week's assignments. Students can ask questions and then I can review how a particular feature is used.
We start the session with just a general discussion about their week and my week and talk about any issues they had with the previous assignment. It is a casual yet structured environment that hopefully makes the students feel free to ask questions even if they feel that it is one of those "stupid" questions. My philosophy is that learning should be fun and sometimes I have to adjust my "agenda" to accommodate what students really need and yet keep going with what is required for the course.
I have to also be careful to not get off track if something happens with the technology as the entire chat session relies on different types of technology.
Frances
The learning environment can have a huge impact on learning. It is important for the instructor to be in the classroom 10-15 minutes prior to class starting. This way materials and activite can be set up before class starts. In addition, the instructor should speak and address each student individually and get to know them personally.
Susana,
All of these components contribute to enhanced learning. We need to keep this in mind as we look at our classrooms/labs and try to see what are students are seeing when they enter that setting.
Gary
In computer courses, it is important the students are doing the steps along with you so they can get the feel for the navigation of whatever program you are using. I feel this really helps demonstrate how important it is not to just use lecture methodsm but to actually walk them through the steps and objectives on a computer, and then let their own creativity and curiosity take over.
I think the learning environment can jump start the mindset; by use of posters or instruments,etc. It can help facilitate a lesson or not. I have experienced an environment which actually impeded the learning objective. The instructor had planned a lesson that called for breaking up into groups; but the seats were attached to the desks, and altogether bolted to the floor[in static rows], making it impossible to convene in a circle; therefore having a discussion was almost impossible.
Also if the room is too cold or too hot and stuffy...I recall; not too long ago a student nearly fainted because the airconditioning was not working. If the lighting is not efficiently bright or expansive enough, or the chair in relation to the desk is not ergonomically sound; is particularly obstructive for a lesson that encompasses typing or computer work of any kind.
If it is a lesson that is conducted in a lab, it is best that there is ample room to move around each work station; for individual instructional guidance and monitoring.
The learning environment is critical to the learning experience because it sets the tone for the class. Everything including, but not limited to, lighting, adequate supplies, appropriate resources and texts, and audio-visuals play a role in the process. The environment also supplements everything the instructor brings to that particular class.
A class is, in part, is the sum of the instructor's expertise and the materials used to make the process more condusive to learning.
The leaning environment is key to the student's learning, and it sets the tone for successful learning. The environment should be comfortable and conducive to learning as well.
Mike
Mark,
Good strategies for all instructors to follow. You have captured a comprehensive way to be successful in the classroom. Thanks for sharing them.
Gary
Ben,
So true and so important and something we need to always think about as we set up our courses.
Gary
