Ron,
it is amazing what brighter colors can do & as you said, just changing things up every now & again.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think by adding any one of these things would help improve any environment for learning. For instance we just had our classroom painted. Just by painting our classroom seems to have improved every ones attitude in the class. It was an ugly brown and knows it is a light green. Even when I walk into the classroom first thing in the morning it puts a smile on my face.
Ron
Attention should be paid to the color of the walls and carpeting/flooring. Colorful visuals should be posted on the walls so students can see them and music can be used during exercises and assignments to stimulate thought process.
Brian,
that's great as you can find the ideas that work for you.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
My classroom is shared with other instructors each day, so some of the peripheral ideas and seating arrangements are not practical. However, using different colors of paper and adjusting the lighting to be brighter are concepts I will incorporate.
Since I am a long distance instructor (over the internet) the use of visuals, sound, and video that are a direct link to the subject is the best way to get and keep my students interested and motivated in the subject matter. The students have requested more video clips on certain subjects. The use of color and sound in the media presentation is also important.
I use alternating colors for bullet items, providing contrast so the learners can easily shift gears when appropriate.
I think changing your marker color to emphasize different points help with better understanding of what is expected for assignments.
Currently, I only use color when it comes to the dry erase markers. I like the idea of printing exams on a different paper color. A relaxing, light blue should put those students that get test anxiety as ease.
I found the idea of using music in the classroom very intriguing. I think I will do some further research on that topic.
Jessica,
yes, all of these things are a great way to get the students engaged & enlivened for the learning.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
music is a great way to relax the mood and allow for creativity. A colorful room and visuals is more inviting. It engages the students and promotes positive thinking.
My team travels internationally to different teaching sites and classroom that we normally have no control. We arrive early to rearrange the seating to encourage greater dialogue and improve the learning environment. We travel with multi colored markers, butcher block paper and Flex foil to create a better learning environment.
James,
unfortunately we don't always have control over the learning environment. But applause to you for looking at what you can change & impact for the learning benefit of all.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
A few things I have tried consist of:
1) answers to objectives posted on colored paper around the room with the corresponding objectives posted face down on desks where students sit...
2) For discussion I situate the chairs in a U shape and the students only have their books for reference...for homework they then have to take notes reflecting on the classroom discussion...it ensures that the students review the text while completing their homework and this repetition of the material seems to help in their comprehension of the course subject matter
3) another way I incorporate creative supplies and color is to assign colors to different homework review and vocabulary questions and at the end of the class the homework color is chosen from a bowl of different colored gumballs-sometimes the color has 2 questions assigned to it the next color might have 15 questions to it...gets them involved in the process and its fun and they always appreciate a gumball!!
Most of our classrooms are pre-arranged with fixed seating and computers "hard-wired" into the positions specified, so little can be done with arrangements. Some of our classrooms don't even have tables; small seating desks with attached writing areas are used to maximize student numbers. Students sometimes have trouble going down the row because they are so close together. I can use different color markers on the board, however, and use some color management with PowerPoint presentations.
I teach only in a clinic setting. Chairs don't move but we have several instructors who rotate every clinic to work with different students. This alone should help keep the students alert in class.
Our school has one small clinic with only 5 chairs and the silence can be deafening in there while the students work. They routinely ask for music to be turned on while they are working on patients. Music definitely helps everyone relax including the patients!
I try to add some type of coloring/visual activity to each of my anatomy sections. It not only helps the visual learners it gives everyone (including me) a break from verbal learning.
I already incorporate a project where learners use basic art supplies to create a summary of what we have discussed and are expected to answer potential questions that relate. During this time I also play classical music.
I loved this part of the lesson. I am at a new school, and am excited to practice some of these ideas.
It started me thinking about what I have seen in other classrooms that are not great.
Posters that are crooked - have a small level. Uneven edges and cooked posters are distracting to a lot of people, and can keep them from focusing or seeing professionalism.
Keep personal garb to a minimum, and keep it near your own desk. It is okay to have some, but be sure the décor does not distract.
Stickers or magnets on filing cabinets? I am not sure I would have those. It looks juvenile.
Clutter - oh nasty, right?
Maybe I am just a little OCD, but these things distract me. If you are not OCD, you might not even notice if posters are level, but it wouldn't bother you if they were, either.
Lisa,
it's great that you may be able to use music effectively in your classroom since you are limited in other areas.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
