Environment
I cannot express enough how much the learning environment impacts a student's education. A learning environment should be a very positive open place for students to feel comfortable learning and even making mistakes.
Kimberly,
A great point and one that often is overlooked. We need to see the environment through the eyes of our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
You sre correct but on the other hand it does not need to be so comfortable that the students feel as if they can take advantage of the space to sleep or do stuff other than there assingments for example if you are teaching a computer course on excel spreadsheats they should not feel as if it is ok to visit social media sites while they are supposed to be working on there assingments
I agree. A healthy learning environment also entails structure, rules, and classroom policies to make sure that everyone is on the same page. I also like to focus on a positive environment, so negativity is not welcome. Students really appreciate a drama free learning environment so that they can focus.
Cory,
Good point about the environment. It should be comfortable and conducive to learning. The more we can make our classroom and labs real world like the better because this is what our students are preparing to enter. They need to know what it is going to be like for them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Kimberly,
Your last sentence is a good one. Learning needs to occur in a setting that is conducive to learning and where students know they have support. This is where they will become engaged and focused on achieving the goals of the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The enviroment has a hugh impact on learning. If you are unconfortable in any seting it is difficult to concentrate.
A positive learning environment is key to the success of the students. They need to know that they can make mistakes, and it is okay. A student can learn a great deal from their mistakes.
Mary,
The educational classroom needs to be an environment where students can learn both knowledge and skills while developing their critical thinking skills. The process of developing critical thinking skills involves making mistakes but learning from each mistake that is made.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In court reporting the learning environment should be very positive because you fail more tests than you pass. Keeping an up-beat positive attitude is imperative. It is important to continually give students confidence by acknowledging the small steps they take in their journey up the very tall ladder they have to climb.
I try and keep a calm atmosphere because court reporting students get very nervous when taking speed tests. Keep them focused is the biggest challange.
Madelyn,
Good strategy for teaching courses like this. They are intense and as a result the students needs all of the support and encouragement they can get as they move forward in this course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I teach Culinary Arts, and many of my students are mid-life career changers. They find out that professional techniques are very different from they way they have been cooking at home - for decades. I work to create an environment that celebrates mistakes as stepping stones. On a daily basis, I remind each student of their progress, connecting the dots.
Cheryl,
Your last sentence is very important. "Connecting the dots" for them so important because often times they get bogged down with life as the course progresses and they lose sight of why they are there and the progress they are making.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
