Hi John - Thanks for your suggestions on impoving the classroom environment! Best wishes - Susan
Hi Ellen - Thanks for your post to the forum. You bring up some important points. I completed my graduate degree online with George Washington Univ. and as a survival skill was online at 5 a.m. - even the dog was still asleep! You do your students a great service by talking to them about their learning environment. Best wishes- Susan
Interesting post Sabrina, as I teach in an online environment myself. I do think students who choose online learning tend to be heavy computer and internet users, and occasionally I get students dropping in to make up a course who are not typically online - and it's a challenge. It clearly shows how differences in learning styles come into play.
I teach predominantly online, and the learning environment, although invisible to me, has a huge impact on the learned. I can control the delivery methods of information within the instructional unit - audio and powerpoint lectures, reading assignments, tests, projects - but I can't control the environment in which the student studies and completes their homework. At times I'll be talking on the phone to a student with a loud TV in the background, or multiple children playing or crying, and I think "wow" - how can they possible function? Then I have other students that I see working very early morning hours and think they must be looking for peace and quiet before the rest of the household is up. When I have students who are doing poorly online, I always chat with them about environment - where are they working and when - and sometimes a change of environment can help them.
It demonstrates the inflexibility or flexibility of the class and relates to the comfort level the student feels in the classroom. Straight rows of single desks demonstrate greater structure while longer tables moved around, or desks put in circles demonstrtaes a more organic environment of sharing and informal discussion. Posters on walls, sayings on the board, and powerpoint presentations reflect an array of methods to address any apprehensions one may sense.
The seating setup for the classroom can make a big difference in how successful an activity will be. I would think that a tradition classroom setup with rows of desks may inhibit a discussion because the students are not actually looking at each other. However, a U-shaped or circle setup may be prohibitive in a computer lab type of class, especially if some students are easily distracted.
That would be awful! If that was a computer lab classroom, the students' hands would be too cold to type!
Any specific setting can work well for one style of learner but may be the worst setting for another style. If the classroom is set up as a lab, but the student learns better by listening, this may not be the best setting for that student. The instructor could make this more valuable for that student by providing more one-on-one time with them. Some students seem to be able to take a set of instructions and the equipment and complete the lab successfully; where other students will need more help because they need more explanation of what they are doing and what the outcome will be. That student may want more verbal explanation along the way.
Hi Craig - I'm glad I'll never have to teach THAT class! LOL! Best wishes- Susan
The subject, at times, needs to determine the environment. Example; if you are going to stand post to direct traffic in Minnesota you may need an outside training experience in -10 degrees weather to understand how you need to accomplish the activity.
Students learn in a variety of ways, so I have to make sure that I have a lot of pictures, powerpoint presentations, lectures, and hands on exercises for the students so all students will get a chance to learn the material.
Hi Olatunji- Why couldn't you have been MY first computer instructor??? (-: You really seem to have it all together and I'll bet that your student success rates and the evaluations of your teaching are terrific! Best wishes - Susan
Hi Olatunji- Thanks for your post to the forum. You have clearly got a great understanding of how important the classroom environment is. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
It is important that the students are in a conducive environment where learning can take place.
Our college has done an excellent job in providing good quality class rooms with state of the art equipment, in many ways this provides a comfortable arena for being receptive to information. I usually have all the lights on, so that the room is bright and everyone is alert and wide awake. The color scheme of the walls are a mud tan and white combination, the few pictures on the walls have appropriate imagery along with motivational text. I typically dim the lights when I have to use the projector.
Our computer labs are typically cool so as to allow the machines run smoother and from time to time I will turn on the temperature when desired by a majority.
I also tend to walk around the room rather than stand in front of the class so as to ensure that my voice is heard well across the room and the door is always kept shut to avoid external distractions and I have on occasion taken down the clock to stop the ever darting eyes going back and forth from the clock and my face.
I teach an Introduction to computer Information Systems class, which basically is a computer literacy class. On the first day of class after introducing myself, I give a summary of my professional background to establish my competency in the subject matter, I now ask each student to introduce themselves and mention their chosen field, I try and pair students with similar career paths together and ask how computers are relevant to their chosen field's to get a class discussion going.
I also ask for a weekly journal on relevant news in the world of computer's particularly as it pertains to their professional development; this way they begin to appreciate the benefits of the taking the class and it enhance's the class discussions as well.
With the use of powerpoint presentations I convey and reinforce key points with a little humor to keep it an enjoyable experience and also use good visuals to further elaborate on whatever topics we are covering at that point in time. Getting students to read some points from the textbook aloud is also part of my tools in reinforcing key points and keeping students attentive.
Preparing for each class with questions to get the students engaged as the class progresses has been a great tool. Lastly I write on the board key facts that they must know.
During practicals such as creating simple documents, I pair the experienced students with the inexperienced students and make myself available to everyone to the best of my ability. I also encourage more effort, and try to alieviate the fear of computer's as being difficult to use with new user's and also encourage a little competitiveness and I always praise excellent work.
My aim is to provide them with valuable information and give a compass on how to use what they have learned and try to make them look forward to the next lesson. However I would like to improve on my powerpoint presentations, any tips would be greatly appreciated.
In the classroom, I try to create clean, distraction free setting that is conducive to a positive learning environment. But we only see our students for a couple hours at a time, only a couple times per week. I try to stress to my students that their home learning environment is just as important as their school environment. We discuss optimal study locations at home whether it is at a formal desk or the the kitchen or dining room table. We also talk about non-optimal situations such as studying on their beds or in a chair that is too comfy. I make it kind of fun and silly, but stress the fact that learning is an active process and can't occur through osmosis of information form the book to your head while you sleep!
HI Karlyn- Thanks for your post to the forum. Often we are limited in what we can provide in terms of physical settings for our students, but as you point out , we can certainly vary seating and/or set up varied work stations. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. - Susan
physical settings which do not allow for movement, note taking, or peer discussion might be less condusive to nurturing learning styles which benefit from such activities (kinesthetic, auditory, visual)and it would enhance learning if to vary seating arrangements & offer a variety of workstations where possible. It would also be important to limit some distractions yet offer some visually stimulating decor.
Hi Craig- Thanks for your post to the forum. You make an important point - our students deserve and must have the proper equipment to obtain the skills they will need. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
The classroom needs to match the subject, especially in a career college setting. If the practical equipment is not available or in need of repair students will not feel they are reciving the value they diserve.
