Hi Holly, Thanks for your post to the forum. I think we can all relate to our elementart school days and the vivid classrooms we had. But, as you say, for mature learners, "simple" is indeed better! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
The physical setting can be intimidating or just "too loud" of an appearance depending on how the students in the classroom truely learn. If a student is a visual learner and the room is truely "cluttered" with lots of informative posters and things, it could possibly become a distraction to that person. Also, sometimes the appearance of the room and what is going on is so busy that if a person is an auditory learner and they can't stay focused because of the surroundings arround them, a possibly positive decor has now become a negative distraction. In hind sight, try to keep the atmosphere simple. If it's too busy, it can possibly become more of a distraction then being helpful.
The Physical arrangement of a classroom will direct the learning in the classroom accordingly to specific learning styles. the classroom should be arranged according to your classroom goals and interests. The atmosphere of the classroom will determine student interaction and management to effectively enhance the learning environment for all styles of learning
Hi Tracy, Thanks for your post to the forum. I am always amazed at how many students have no idea about learning styles! I agree, students do really relate to real scenarios. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
In creating a positive environment, an instructor has to be able to adapt to all different learning styles. I believe it is beneficial for students to take a learning assessment early on in their school career to make sure that they are making the most of their learning ability. When they know their specific type of learning style, it will help them tremendously retain the information that they are learning in their classes. Personally, while I teach, I try to include group discussions and real life examples to help the students understand better.
Hi Sandra, Thanks for your post to the forum. You have given us an excellent summary of what makes a good leraning environment! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
The physical setting and the environment of a classroom can impact how a student learns in many ways. The temperature of the room, if too hot or too cold can affect a student’s ability to concentrate. Lighting in a room can also affect how a student learns. Everybody's eyes react differently to light. Some students do better with bright lights while others prefer to have lower lighting in the classroom. Another impact to learning is how things are displayed within the classroom. Although visual aids in the classroom are usually well accepted, too many can make a room cluttered and become a distraction. Desk, tables, and chairs should be comfortable and conducive to learning. Students need to feel relaxed, happy and calm in their physical setting. Setting up a classroom to meet the preferences of each student is key to learning.
Hi Carrie, Thanks for your post to the forum. that is an excellent ob servation! We would naturally think that a classroom full of vibrant visuals would be ideal for visual learners, but you are correct that a visual overload in the learning environment can distract those students. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
The Physical setting must be stress free and professional for the students to benefit the most.
Sometimes classroom to cluttered with to much visual can be distracting to your visual learner
Hi Dana, Thanks for your post to the forum. Great description of the environmental factors that can affect our students' learning! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
The physical setting is very important. The noise level will effect some students. The activity level (people going and coming) would also have an effect on students who are easily distracted. The resources (books, models, etc.)have a lot to do with the learning preferences of students.
Hi Eric, Thanks for your post to the forum. Often visual learners get lost in a sea of lecture, so adding something visual is a plus! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
if i see some students have difficulty when i talk about something i try to do the white board method too like that they can here and see in the same time.
I feel that if you can make the students feel comfortable in their environment, they will begin to feel more comfortable learning and participating in what you are motivating them to learn.
You must have a Professional environment for students to feel professional themselves and to take things seriously.
Hi Jessica, Thanks for your post to the forum - it was very well stated!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I believe that creating a positive learning environment is extremely important. You want your students to feel comfortable in a setting that is conducive for them to receive as much information as possible. Students should be able to come to a welcoming class free of additional environmental stress because for them, sometimes balancing school, life and work is enough. Students will have the greatest chance at success if we start with this simple ideology.
Hi Forrest, Thanks for your post to the forum. You have certainly mentioned all of the aspects of the classroom environment that we need to consider! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
The physical setting can have huge impacts on the learning environment.
How the desks or tables is set up can change how effectively an instructor is able to connect with the class and how well the students are able to interact with each other. These are often conflicting desk positions. Allowing class time to rearrange furniture for a shift from lecture to group work is often necessary.
The comfort of the chairs or desks is also a major factor. As well as the room temperature. If students are uncomfortable, either because they're too hot or too cold, or their backside is aching, they are not going to be able to take in and retain much information.
Access to technology and equipment greatly affects the learning environment as well, such as having visual aids for the Visual Learners and hands-on tools for the Kinesthetic Learners.
