There are a few "reflective" exercises for which I have the students move outdoors (weather permitting, of course) to some picnic tables we have. The change of scenery, birds chirping, etc., has an amazing effect! They are all able to focus on the assignment and all said they "forgot" there was anyone else around. Mission accomplished! I am excited about trying some of the other techniques regarding visuals and color recommended in the lesson.
In my class I could try using colored paper in the hand outs to stike the appropriate emotion for the assignment or homework. Also, with the powerpoint slides I could also try to make them less visually overwhelming and use color to make an important point. I didn't think color could make such a difference, but the more and more I try to incorporate color the more the students comprehend.
Hi Letisha!
How do you incorporate the posters into your class for helping students to learn? What other tool do you use to create a multi-sensory learning environment?
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
I find motivational posters to a wonderful tool when students get discouraged and overwhelmed.
As a chef instrctor colors, flavors etc... are usually part of the lesson plan. I use videos and photo slides the enhace the learning.
Good evening Professor Davis,
One of the things I will take away from this particular module is the use of seating to improve the learning environment for my students. I agree that people need their personal space and choices in the classroom. I also believe that the seating pattern which is selected impacts the learning environment a great deal. I am going to try the "V" shaped seating pattern in my next class. This one involves the teacher being at the highest focus, while still allowing for interaction amongst the students. I like the message this pattern evokes which is that the teacher is the "expert" but that students may still feel free to ask questions and talk briefly with other classmates. I also was very enlightened by the concept of grouping students in odd numbers to help avoid conflict. What a great idea! I am learning so much in this course. Thank you for imparting your knowledge to all of us!
Best regards,
Jason Kupper
Have implemented seating arrangement, changed on a weekly basis, use of visual aids to enhance the leacture.
I have found that the use of different colors works well in the classroom. Music is also a great thing for the classroom. creating a multi-sensory environment is important because of the different learners that we have in the classroom.
Right now, I am in an extremely small room...perhaps only 12' x 12' and with poor air circulation. I have six students and myself, and it is like teaching in a closet. That said, we seem to make the best of it, and fortunately we all have a good rapport, which facilitates a more positive experience than I have a right to expect. I tend to accompany them on longer breaks, so that we can go outside into the daylight, and we accomplish a lot of learning just standing together on the sidewalk.
These are great tools to work in the classroom. But I deal with students in a work environment that doesn't allow for all these tools. Taking students to hospital and providing life situations for them to work with is the most I can do at this time. I would like ways/tools to motivate them there.
I seat around a rectangular table, because that is what is provided. I use three colors of markers on the whiteboard. I use visuals, but now know I need to use more. I would like to try having students write their own poetry in color and/or with pictures while listening to
different pieces of instrumental music. One poem per piece of music. Then ask for volunteers to read their poems. I would ask the students if/how the different pieces of music influenced the writing of the poems. I would also place the finished poems around the walls of the classroom.
We use color in our Dental Assisting courses to code dental instruments for easier identification. The instruments are color coded and so are the plastic trays on which they are placed. Green might indicate restorative instruments, blue for oral surgery instruments, yellow for perio instruments etc.
I know that the impetus here is for identification rather than relaxation or calming, but it is still a great leaarning tool.
We also use colors for work sheets & calendars. This seems to be very effective and reduces misunderstandings of assignments and due dates.
We use color to help in the learning environment when we trace circuits to isolate and diagnose. I will give the students colors coded to the circuit to reinforce Power and ground. I will let them use their own choices sometimes to get the same result and then have them explain the logic of why they chose that particular color to represent the circuit parts. My room is set up in a horseshoe so interaction with the students for seating is generally beneficial to learning. The student computers are placed around the outside of the room facing out and the desk makes the focal point on the lecture or the pass around part or demonstration. I will sometimes place my chair in the middle of the room and sit at eye level with the students while engaging them in discussion about different topics. I use music but will try using it more since I have read about the benefits to learning. We have pictures around the room but I like the idea of the hand written notes...kind of like when you go to a bistro or small home restaurant and they post the daily specials. I like the personal connection it implies.
I think using palatable colors to introduce
conceptual material will provide a less
anxious environment. For example, a complex
math equation might be written in light blue or
gray.
Visual aids like charts and posters definately make the learning environment more interesting. Multi-colored markers for the whiteboard are also a must.I like to move the tables around every week to also change up the room and make the whole experience more fresh.
Sadly, I find myself using what ever color marker happens to be in front of me. I need to make an effort to differentiate. I think it will enhance the learning experience.
I have found that playing upbeat music as the students walk into class and take their seats, creates a motivating environment. I try to incorporate multiple colors on the board, but sometimes it is cumbersome to juggle multiple highlighters.
I have to say though changing seating arrangement has been very well received by the students, even taking the class outside the walls of the traditional classroom, maybe to a quiet area of the school yard that has minimal distractions.
When writing instructions on the board I try to use different colors and pictures. However my drawing is not that great. If i find an illustration in a book that can tell a story I sometimes will blow it up and post it.
When I teach, I tend to always use a black marker, I am not going to use more colors. I am also going to hang up student work. Great idea!
Good job Jennifer!
I can definitely see how important visual aids are for your environment. But I think that visual aids are important for most classes. Visual aids for some classrooms just may be for visual effects rather than for training aids. But any positive additions to a classroom encourages learning.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED107 Facilitator
