I have learned that the room temperature, lighting, and a window are important for students to focus on learning material being presented.
If it is too warm,students are distracted because they want to be cooler. If the lighting is too bright or too dim, they are distracted from reading or viewing the board. If there are no windows to occasionally attention to, students start doodling, texting, or yawning.
We have some internal classrooms without windows or glass doors. I don't like teaching in these rooms because I feel shut off from the world and I know my students don't like it either.So if I have to teach in these rooms, I allow for frequent breaks so that students can go outside or to the breakroom, so they don't feel closed in.
Hi Chad - Thanks for your post to the forum. Such a simple fix, but as you say, what a change in student attitude! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
The environment is very important to a positive outcome in learning. I like to have a classroom that is conducive to different configurations for the different tasks that might be assigned. Round tables, as well as individual desks, provide flexibility in seating to be able to hold discussions, work in group projects,etc.
In my opinion this is one of the most important things besides a good teacher. Many times my classroom can look like a million $$ but because I think creating a positive learning environment is a combination of physical setting, "stuff" not working properly and other departments creating issues, sometimes a new year can really start off on the wrong foot.
For Ex..
Keyboards broken, not able to login, old Equipment, missing medical paperwork ,"transcripts" misplaced, Etc .......
After the student is put into these type of settings no matter how nice my room looks I have my work cut out for me with a bunch of agitated students.
I agree 100%. I recently had an issue with teperature management in a classroom and immediatly noticed a change in the learners reception. A quick setting change to a cooler classroom and all were on board and ready to move forward.
Comfort is important. The seating, the heating and cooling, the ok to have a refreshment, the smiling pleasant instructor.
I agree with this 100%. I always lead by example and find the students appreciate & respond much better.
The physical setting can have a strong impact on students learning, for most students tend to learn from their surroundings. What I mean is that if you set the class room toward the specific class/lecture, students are more adapt to retaining the material.
Hi Louella- Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, it is our job to convey excitement about learning to our students! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
It has been my experience that if the students can go from lecture to hands on application and then review of information in a classroom setting; they seem to retain the information better. I am teaching Dental Assisting and when they students can watch me do something in front of them after lecturing to them; they are more likely to have success when they do the task at hand. It helps with all of the types of learners I have in the class and gets them out of their comfort zone.
I think that the most important factor in establishing or creating a positive learning environment for the students is to first make them feel that they want to come to class. It is a want not just a need. And as instructors, we can provide that by letting them know during the first day of class that we ourselves want to be in the classroom. Show them that we are very eager to deliver our instructional materials. Focus on the positive outcomes and not the negative outcomes such as if they do not do well in class, that we have to fail them..often times fear is not solution to positive learning.Once they feel eager to come to class, any physicial conditions, such as room temperature or room space will not be a factor in hindering the learning process.
Hi Ron- Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, classrooms need to be welcoming and interesting. Great work! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
If the physical environment is pleasing to the students they will bw more likely to focus on the information being presented.
It has been well documented that infants need stimulation of various sorts to initiate learning, as sterile, dull environments lead to stifiled intellectual developement. Same with older children, adolescents, and adults. My classromm has a lot of visual and tactile, and written stimuli. Any learning site needs to be interesting.
Hi Robyn- Thanks for your post to the forum. It's great that you are taking such an active role in making your students' environment comfortable!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Melissa- Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, students are aware of their classroom surroundings and do penalize the instructor when conditions are poor. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I think the physical setting makes a big impact. If the class is dull, Stuffy and not as friendly, then the student will then think the teacher does not want to be there.
However; if the class room is warm, friendly and brite the student will see the interest the teacher takes to make you feel comfoprtable.
I share a classroom with other instructors and have recently begun looking at the classroom from the view of the student. Straightening the chairs, cleaning the tabletops, is the A/C too warm/too cold. I want the environment to be as neutral as possible so that the students will focus on the topic and not necessarily their surroundings. In most classrooms I am unable to change the seating arrangements. If I am able to make those changes I prefer the u-shape.
I also prefer a clean, well lighted, stocked and organized class room. It makes it so much more efficient when teaching students to have everything where it is needed and not have to hunt it down.
I need my learning environment to be clean and organized. I find that some students care about their learning environment while others could care less what their learning environment looks like.
