What role does the overall environment play in the learning process? What elements of the environment actually enhance or diminish learning in students? Many have tried to answer these questions but, truth be told, none have been that accurate. The reason for this inaccuracy is that each individual is unique; and as such, each individual requires his or her own unique working environment to maximize his or her potential. With regards to this, the National Academy Press (1999) wrote the following:
“Learners use current knowledge to construct new knowledge and what they know and believe at the moment affects how they will interpret new information. Current knowledge can help or hamper learning. Teachers have a harder time in using the learner’s background because they are not familiar with it. ” – How People Learn (p. 4) Assessing and implementing the proper learning environment for individuals is indeed a daunting task for educators and teachers; and since we will never get the “perfect” learning environment, many educators and teachers simply try to do their best with what they have available.
This is not to say, however, that there is nothing we can do about it. We cannot deny that the environment is still an important aspect in the learning process of students; and since we are dealing with individual environmental situations, then our answer to this dilemma is also found in individuals; our educators themselves. Applying what works for most Educators may choose to apply methods that work for most and try to adjust to individuals who still can’t seem to cope to these methods.
The Term Paper on Learning Pearson Education Teacher Students Classroom
Assume you have 2 classes, one group of 30 adolescents in a day-school, and one group of 15 adults who are learning English for business reasons. How do you think these two classes would differ? It should be understood from the outset that the three guiding considerations in any classroom context are the teacher, the student and the learning environment. These close and sometimes complex inter- ...
If we use this approach, we will find much information available to us. Physical arrangement stimulates the mind. One of the most neglected learning environment issues is the physical arrangement of the environment itself. Renowned authors, Catherine E. Loughlin and Joseph H. Suina said, “Many teachers and administrators tend to focus on pedagogical and interpersonal issues, ignoring the physical-spatial context in which the teaching-learning process occurs” (The Learning Environment; An Instructional Strategy, 1982).
We have applied a lot of modern technology to the classroom, yet, surprisingly, the way seats and other furniture in the classroom are arranged hasn’t changed much in centuries. We have to consider how our minds are wired. Since people are social beings, classrooms should be arranged to give as much “controllable” interaction among students as possible. We sometimes fail to see that, in the “real world”, it is our ability to interact properly with others that assures our success in life; and this should be taught to us early in our school life.
Feedback is part of the leaning environment. An important part of any learning environment is how comfortable a student feels about his or her teacher and fellow students. Yes, teachers and peers from an important part of the learning environment. Dr. Ralph C. Smedley, founder of Toastmasters International, wrote: “Giving feedback to an individual is not simply about correcting the person; but, more importantly, it is about encouraging that person to continue on his learning journey” (Personally Speaking, published post mortem in 1966).
Encouragement to continue the learning process, not just the learning itself, is the heart of feedback. Without the desire to learn, there is no learning. This is not just for teachers; amongst the students themselves, feedback is an important process. It is a fact that many students will listen to their own peers more than their professors. If the teacher can manage the feedback process amongst students, then a good learning environment is created. The learning environment is not dependent on the physical.
The Research paper on Learning Environment Students Class Teachers
Creating A Learning Environment Creating A Learning Environment Essay, Research Paper Creating a Learning Environment We spent a great deal of time discussing learning styles during our first class periods – specifically as relating to adult learning. The focus of this class as evidenced by the title – "College Teaching' – is geared towards the teaching of college students who ...
When testing students who took regular college and those who utilized a distance study programs, Dr. Michelle Unterberg, in a published study in the Journal of Physical Therapy Education (Harvard Medical School Center for Palliative Care; Boston, Mass. , 2003), concluded that: “The classroom or distance environment did not influence learning outcome; however, the Diverger learning style (a learning style which tends towards concrete experience and reflective observation) may have a positive relationship to learning in the distance environment.
” – Do Learning Style and Learning Environment Affect Learning Outcome? (p. 115) This study rightfully concludes that it is not the physical environment that determines the learning of an individual; but rather, it is the environment created in the student’s mind. Making the student comfortable physically is not as important as making the student comfortable mentally. The true learning environment In my first argument, I stated the importance of physical environment; however, if you will read my argument carefully, you may notice that this physical environment still feeds the mind.
In fact, all my arguments are about the environment formed in our minds. This is because we are all individuals. And, as I mentioned earlier, the solution is in the individual educators themselves. Technology is good; but if our minds aren’t primed for learning then technology in the classroom is useless. There are so many techniques about how to best teach students; but the best techniques will not be enough without the right kind of educators. The true learning environment is the mind; and the best technique for me is… an educator who really cares about each student’s individuality.
The Essay on Virtual Reality Learning Environments
... linked to the physical world through telepresence; distance learning systems could be expanded to allow students and teachers to share worldwide learning environments. Through virtual ... be configured for individual learning and performance styles. 'If there are limits on the human ability to respond to learning environments, we are so ...
References
Donovan, S. M. ; Bransford, J. D. ; & Pellegrino, J. W. (1999), How People Learn: Bridging Research and Practice. Washington, D. C. National Academy Press, p. 4 Catherine E. Loughlin and Joseph H. Suina (1982), The Learning Environment; An Instructional Strategy Ralph C. Smedley (published post mortem in 1966), Personally Speaking, Toastmasters International Michelle Unterberg (2003), Do Learning Style and Learning Environment Affect Learning Outcome? Harvard Medical School Center for Palliative Care; p. 115
