The U shape allows the students to interact and also allowing me to walk around within the U during the class.
I begin my classes (as students enter) with music and lyrics that support the learning topics of the day. I encourage students to bring in their own cultural music so that the class can appreciate it together. I have a world map on the wall and often refer to it, walking over and drawing attention to the side of the room and pointing out diverse areas of the world. I use PowerPoints with pictures for my lectures.
Since I teach math I often have the students work in small groups. I assign strong students to work with weaker students. I also make use of handouts printed on differemt colored paper
Hi James!
Great comments!
Jane Davis ED107 Facilitator
By using colors you can liven up your class and when you grade tests use a different color then red because it can set up a negative attitude with the student so I was told by my training instructor. I like blues and oranges for my self.
Seating If I have a new class at the start I like to give them a chance to pick there own.
If that dose not work I reseat them just like there lab groups.
The music I do not have a radio in my class our C.D player because we can’t play C.D in are classes. If I could I would play old music like C.C.R and other oldies from the radio
Ditto to all of the above. I would like to expand on or address the copyrite issue and how curriculm is defined. Some institutions have a rigorous and lengthy review process of any/everything presented to the students within confines of the classroom/lab. How would you suggest persuing a fresh and dynamic approach to the classroom environment under such circumstances?
We have posters and pictures of various race bikes around our class and benches and toolboxes are colour matched to "our" manufacturer. I don't like music in lab, it can be hard to converse with the students with the noise levels we already have, but it might be interesting to try it in the classroom portion of the program.
Have used different colored index cards to help students recognize the degree of safety that must be consider when operating a motorcycle on the dyno.
Hi Paul,
It sounds to me like you have visuals that most classroom couldn't come near to replicating. The only color that I could imagine are bright, bold pictures of the latest motorcycles on the market. If I were in a class such as yours, that would definitely appeal to me.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I haven't quite figured out how to use color in my classroom. I do have motorcycles in the room and they provide great visuals for demonstrations. Students are seated in a horseshoe with the bikes in the center so all can see. When the students are in lab I play music at very low volume.
In my particular environment, I usually have no ability to change seating due to room construction. The use of music has been highly restricted by our company due to copyright concerns. However the use of colors is an area that I try to use extensively in drawings, and in all types of training aids. I have been of the opinion that bright colors create interest and excitement in every aspect of the learning experience. Many of the training aids that I use have key points of interest painted in bright colors to help draw attention to them.
I beleive visuals can fill in a lot of the "how to do"
I already use alot of colors when drawing on white board during lectures,mostly blue,green and some red. But based on this module,I would like to also try some rearranging of classroom seats & tables,different posters,etc. I think that would definitely enlighten the learning enviroment and I would have a newer prospective from the instructor's point of view.
I think the primary reason to use color, visuals, seating and creative games and supplies is the effect on student involvement and enthusiasm. I like seating rearrangement. I change it every week, so that students get used to working with each other and meeting their classmates. I try to have small group activities for projects and discussion , I believe it helps in the idea of teamwork and problem solving.I haven't heard of the rationale behind colored handouts but I am going to try it and see the response form the students. I discovered that my students respond better to powerpoint presentations rather than writing on the board. Now I'll have to try color variations in the powerpoints.
As we are a for profit school, music is out of the question. Anything outside of what the school provides must go through corporate lawyers for approval. I could however make some seating changes. I think this could help.
Hi Richard,
I am really enjoying the feedback that many of you have provided about music. I have not used music in my classroom, but I will definitely give it a try. I really like the idea but we must be sure that it works for our students.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
Ed107 Facilitator
Having back ground music in the class room always makes a better environment because it removes the stress of the activities. I have noticed that have 15 or 20 minutes of music the students do not even realize music is even playing. It is important to me to keep a relaxed environment because I teach electrical systems and students are scared of electricity.
using certain colors can assist in the students mood or frame of mind in attention to learning, as would visuals aids to keep there att ,seating to retain there att better and less distractions around them,music helps set the atmosphere for the learning enviroment.
No one wants to learn in a dungeon. Having colored walls with pictures that relate to the subject matter, inspirational posters, and some just really cool stuff to see, goes a long way for the students to help them shut out the rest of the world and keep their minds in the current classroom. If their learning environment is a place they like to be in, then learning and retension improves dramatically. We have items in the rooms that relate specifically to the course they are currently studying, and use visual aids of actual parts for them to see and feel. Playing music keeps them relaxed as long as it matches the intensity of the learning.
Good job Myron! I am curious if the school administration if fully onboard with the use of music in the classroom? I definitely support the use of music especially for the non-traditional student who has worked all day and comes straight to class. They need a down moment before class.
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
