the class room
to creat an atmoshpere for learning you must having the seating arrange where you students fill like they have plenty of personal space and that they are in an environment where they can make choises.
Hi Adel and to all who posted to this topic!
If instructors can find the happy medium that works in their particular classroom, obviously, that is the best senario. If blinds are a distraction - where possible - put students backs to the window and instructor move about the room where the window is not a distraction for them either.
Ask students for suggestions which allows them to be part of the process.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I agree - especially when people outside stop and watch what we are doing in class. It's very stressful for the students.
Hi Kim!
As I've said before natural light is healing and mood enhancing. We know that from the "funk" we can get into during winter months, that light is good for us.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I would have to agree with you on this. I recently relocated to a new desk area, with huge windows surrounding me. I have to say, the lighting does wonder for my mood.
Greetings Jeff!
Very well put! I enjoy making learning fun and to create what I call "accidential" learning. As students are having fun and having a lot of social interaction in the classroom, learning takes place. Of course, as with any good thing, instructors should be sure there is a balance.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
Change is also good to help students to break out of a rut. People will start to build habits as to wear they sit, how the room looks, how the class progresses, etc. and then they get too comfortable and complacency settles in. To avoid this "zoning out" any little changes are good so that students break out of complacency without totally undoing good comfort zones that actually aid learning.
Hi
Our school is new, we have a beautiful facility and our students are very comfortable and happy, in my class the most important to keep my students comfortable is to have the materiel and the equipment in place, working, maintain and organize, to create a good learning environment
Eric Andre
Karol - I totally agree! Natural light is healing and mood enhancing.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I agree that it brightens moods....but open blinds can also be a serious distraction!
It is important for the outside to shine in the classrm, as it brightens student's moods
Hi Dawn!
I hear your challenge! It can be very difficult to make a room your own when you are adjunct.
I have brought in a basket of live flowers - the basket makes it easy to carry them. I make something to put on the wall. I put footprints on the floor with review questions on them or handprints on the wall with a quote for the day. I will occassionally bring in snacks. AND - I will often change the room arrangement and ask students at the end of class to help put it back - I;ve never had a student who wouldn't help. They like the change as well.
To make a change, you don't have to do something elaborate!
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I will frequently change my seating into a U shape so I can walk up the middle and so the students can see each other. I have found this works well for discussion however, I have a student who is a bit bizarre and frequently find her staring at a student in the class who clearly makes her uncomfortable so I now avoid this but still try to keep everyone close.
As for the class room extras included in this Module, does anyone have suggestions on how to make your classroom feel more personal and welcoming when you are an adjunct instructor teaching one night a week in a classroom that is shared by others?
