Well planned and layed out facilities give any instructor a head start. If the tools required are present and up-to-date the student is more appreciative of the money they are spending to learn. If instructors are always having to make an excuss about facilities, tools etc. the students become burdened with the question "what am I doing here" instead of focusing on the material at hand.
Hi Ann - Welcome to ED 103! Although K-12 educators are very aware of the impact of the classroom environment, I think that sometimes in Adult education we take it for granted. Thanks for reminding us of the importance of the learning environment for all students. Best wishes - Susan
Hi Marilyn- Welcome to ED 103! Congratlautions on being able to improvise for your students- I had to chuckle at your story! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
As culinary instructors our kitchens are our classrooms, and they can be a little bothersome for students...The refrigeration is loud, the vents are louder, the windows are too bright, but we adjust. The school had put blinds on the atrium style glass windows, we have wireless connection,and we also are wired for microphones.We still do not have enough equipment for powerpoint presentations but this is the way we vary our delivery techniques for different learning styles. The other day, as an example, I told my class that I wwas watching this guy on you tube pulling sugar, and I allowed the students to pullout their internet phones and watch the video, and a whole series of questions came up. You do what you have to do to get their attention
I think that if the enviorment is clean and organized, the student comes into a situation that is condusive to the learning process. I also like to have it quiet so when they come in there isn't alot of activity around, they can get into the mindset of learning after a hectic day at work.
