Creating a positive learning environment
How does the physical setting impact the learning preferences of students?
Hi Diana, Thanks for your post to the forum. Also, when we make sure that our learning environments are comfortable we let our students kn ow that we are professionals and care about their well being. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Physical setting can set the learning mood..if its too cold or hot its uncomfortable. As a facilitator of learniong the physical arena we teach in is very important. Comfort and creativity go hand in hand
Diana Poor
If the physical learning site was very cluttered or busy with data posted here and there, it might distract a visual learner from hearing a lecture.
Hi Sophia, Thanks for your post to the forum. Absolutely - we all react to the setting we must function in. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
The physical setting plays a huge part as it can make a great difference as to whether the students will be engaged & thus participate in the learning process. If the setting is not condusive to learning students will lose interest & motivation.
Hi Richard, Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, an orderly classroom sets a professional mood that encourages student learning. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I agree, that a clean, well organized environment helps both the students and teacher stay on task. I find it very distracting working in a cluttered classroom.
Hi Melissa, Thanks for your post to the forum. So important the learning environment! I also play music in my online classes as we are waiting for all the students to logon. Do you ask for music choice input from your students? Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
Susan Polick
THe setting and environment play a huge role in learning. If room is messy and cluttered it can be a distraction for students and make the attitude for learning "lazy". Keeping the room organinzed, clean and ready for student learning is very important. I play music in my room everyday for my students. I find it keeps the setting/environment calm, enjoyable, but also lends to more student participation.
Hi Rassiel,Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that a good learning environment send the appropriate message to our students and gives them groundwork to use when they enter the workplace. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
Hi Jerrod, Thanks for your post to the forum. At the college where I work we have a Faculty Development Module called "Burn the Podium". Your technique is terrific! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
i think the physical setting has a huge impact on the students learning process due to the fact that but creating a good, complete and organized working environment you are showing the students that you are commited to giving them as many tools as possible in order for them to learn. The students will be happier and more willing to listen if the setting where the recieve the instruction feels welcoming.
Absolutely it does. When my classroom is set up in a way that facilitates the students ability to pay attention I get more responses. I typically set up my room in a circle and I stand in the middle and turn to each side as I walk and discuss. They like it better than when its rows facing the blackboard and I simply stand at the podium and lecture.
Hi Kimberly, Thanks for your post to the forum. that careful coaxing is a very good strategy when dealing with more reserved students! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I teach a business communication class and my classes are small, but the age range of my students widely range each time. We do lots of role play during class and I find that different generations handle these activities very differently. I also pair my students together and try to help bring some of them out of their "shell". I do, however, have to make sure that I don't put a student that is very comfortable at speaking in front of the class with another who might feel intimidated by the student and their self confidence. I try to point out lots of positives to my student who is more shy and not focus so much on what they did wrong to help them become more comfortable. A few weeks in I will start to challenge them a little more after they have become more comfortable in front of the class.
It is very distracting when the temp is too cold in a classroom, Too warm is also a chance to take a nap in class. Having a comfortable temp is imperative to the learning environment
Hi Michael, Thanks for your post to the forum. I like to think of my students as I would guests in my home. As you state, we need to provide a comfortable environment that will encourage learning. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
If a student is not physically comfortable, the student will be distracted form learning. When we look at physical comfort, we must look at the total environment from seats and tables to climate to the color of the walls. By providing a comfortable environment, we can establish a learning center that the student will find attractive, comforting and stimulating.
Hi Susan, Thanks for your post to the foum. I wonder if that is a result of all the time they spend on computers, Ipads etc. ?? Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
