everethink supost to be organized, it shows professionalism
I feel the setting can invite the learner to participate while at the same time organize the materials in an effecient way for usage while eliminating visual cluttter. An example would be just having the correct set of tools out for the procedure rathewr than a table full of piled tools.
Hi Richard, Thanks for sharing an interesting observation! Yes, the younger students seem to always expect "state of the art" technology while the older students are often intimidated by it. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I feel that different age groups look at the enviornment in different ways. Younger age groups look to see if modern technology is present and older age groups look to see if the equipment they are expected to learn about is adequate for learning. I am an HVAC Instructor and most younger students want brand new equipment to work on, while older students want equipment that they have in their homes. We try to accomodate both.
Hi Jeremy, Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, the closer that we can replicate the work setting in our classrooms the better! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
For my students I try to create a real life work experience. Teaching a Ultrasound lab I keep music on and the lights down to keep them relaxed. By them being relaxed they seem to be more receptive to the many critiques and corrections that need to be taught for them to become the best.
Hi Ryan, Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that in addition to creating a setting that mimics the healthcare setting, creating a good learning environment is essential for the best learning outcomes. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
A physical setting is extremely important when teaching in the healthcare field. Other than just safety precautions, I feel that a setting completes a learning environment. Along with with visuals of what is normally found within a healthcare setting, it also provides a feeling of comfort which in turn helps them feel more comfortable and less intimidated. Students are in a better mental state and retain more of my subject material.
Hi Talita, Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, if students are not comfortable that will not learn as well. Of course we cannot always control all aspects of the learning environment but we can make our very best efforts! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
The comfort zone , that is provide will help student to thrive and have the will to learn. This is one of the reason we are instructors to provide this assitance to help educate.
Most students that enroll in a higher education program, seem to have less interest inside the classroom and more focus on the lesson and skills presented to them.
Hi Kathryn, Thanks for your post to the forum. Great opening ideas!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
Hi Harriet, Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, technology is great - when it works! Being able to regroup when things don't work is great though. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I feel by doing an icebreaker the very first day, even before discussing the syllabus, helps to get folks comfortable being in the physical space, learning faces, understanding personality of the instructor, etc.. which helps to alleviate stress. Then I break into small groups and we learn about one another!
Most of my students are visual learners, so the physical setting play an important part with learning although there are time when equipment does not alway work but student tend to understand if I subsitute with other items.
Hi Peggy, Thanks for your post to the forum. Wow! That's an interesting possibility! Thanks for youe post to the forum.
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
The totality is important. The room must accomodate students comfortably in the setup, but temperature is an important factor as well. I mix PowerPoint presentations, board work, small group work and individual work, so furniture that moves is a must.
In order for students to have a great learning experience the class room need to be clean, all equipment needs to be operable and good lighting. This makes a great difference in students ability to learn.
I teach sonography and have an older student who is not doing so well and blames it on the classroom. Th room is next door to the lab which has 6 machines operating. She says the soundwaves and magnetic forces effect her retention ability and makes her think backwards. I had never given it a thought, but i had her in another class in the last module and she appeared to do better. Just an interesting thought on how technology can maybe effect people in very subtle ways
Hi Rockford - Thanks for your post to the forum and for sharing a great reference! I plan on reading it soon. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
