Hi - Thanks for your post to the forum. Thank goodness the old days of "desks in a row" are gone! Spaces such as you describe, foster interactivity and students who are comfortable can focus more on what they are learning. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
As an interior designer, I always consider the spatial setting in which the class takes place as an important component in creating a positive learning environment. Components which include an attractive space that has appropriate lighting, supportive and comfortable seating, a space where the students can take notes, if appropriate, suitable space for class interaction, well placed audio-visual equipment that facilitates both the instructor's use as well as viewing by the students, can all be useful in creating a positive learning environment. In my opinion an environment can nurture the soul, so the physical environment is the foundation on which learning can be built.
Hi Anthony, Thanks for sharing some great ideas for creative learning environments! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
The physical layout reflects your teaching style. If you want students to collaborate in small groups, for example, organize them around tables or clusters of desks. For frequent whole-group discussions, try a circle or U-shaped desk configuration. If you plan on an individualized, self-paced curriculum, you might set up learning stations.
Hi Richard, Thanks for your post to the forum. Good examples of the diversity of learning environment preferences! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
The physical setting can have tremendous impact on the learning preferences of students. Auditory learners are probably more sensitive to outside noise and visual learners need the right lighting conditions to see the presentation.
The physical setting is critical for "visual" learners. Often students feel more comfortable within a certain physical setting and this shows in how they interact in class.
An example is a student who needs Power Point to fully grasp or organize a concept. Certainly a room without a projector will not be advantageous in this case. Other students react better when the room is either well it or dark...I am not entirely sure why about this but I know that it is true.
Hi Jerry, My children are all great at Math so I guess it is not genetic!!
Susan Polick
Hi, Susan! Thanks for your comments! Too bad you were not in one of my classes. I reach-out to math phobics (you are definitely not alone) and work with them with the final goal of helping them overcome their phobia.
This is definitely one of those instances where TLC is mandatory. I have learned the hard way how important a positive, encouraging, and empathic tone of voice and attitude are in helping the student embrace and enjoy math.
I mean, try to go a day without using any math whatsoever. You can't! :)
Thanks!
Hi Jerry, As a "Math-Phobic", I really appreciate your comments to the forum! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Hi Krystal, Thanks for your post to the forum. Thanks for sharing some good suggestions for our classroom environment! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Hi, Lynne! That is a great point. I have also found that some students act out and become disruptive whenever they encounter material that they do not understand and/or have a difficult time mastering. Their attention span quickly evaporates and they turn to their neighbors with non-math comments and other distractions. I have learned the hard way that I must pay attention to such students to keep them on-task or else the classroom quickly descends into chaos - and then no one learns.
I teach developmental mathematics at the college level. To me, the single most important part of my job is to create a positive learning environment that allows students to make mistakes while learning. Most students are afraid of math and have serious self-esteem issues regarding math. They need to be taught self-confidence while overcoming their math deficiencies. I simply do not see this as possible without a positive learning environment!
Conversely, an environment of "the beatings will continue until moral improves" cannot help students improve their self-esteem issues if they are afraid of making mistakes.
This is a very good point. Not only do we need to learn how to teach each student differently but create the atmosphere that helps them to absorb the information better. This can be difficult especially when you have a large number of students within the class. In all the courses I teach I try to move the students around to different areas of the room, change the lighting and temperature and sometimes we change rooms alltogether.
Hi Lisa, Thanks for your post to the forum. I especially liked your idea about sharing past student project ideas - that can clear up a lot of confusion! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
When students approach an assignment with a negative reply, others can pick up on this. In order to discourage this type of response, present the topic in an upbeat manner and encourage creativity. Also present ideas of past projects and get student input to encourage others.
Hi Jennifer, Thanks for your post to the forum. I recall a horrible 6 week algebra class with no AC in 90 degree temps! Facility conditions are so important! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I find if a classroom is too cold, all my students focus on is the temperature and not the class. The atmosphere should be at a benefit to students. I have switched classrooms because rooms have been too cold before even for me as an instructor moving around at the front of the class room.
Hi Richard, Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, the more activities and resources we can provide, the better our students will learn! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Students want to feel comfortable in their learning environment. If the instructor has a lot of hands on materials, such as computer parts, in the classroom, students are going to want to see how those parts are used. It would help get them excited about learning the material as well.
