Inquiry Into Learning Environment
Creating an effective learning environment with and for students is a critical part of teaching. Regardless of how much content knowledge or enthusiasm a teacher brings to class, if they do not intentionally build an environment that is conducive to learning their students will not be able to succeed to their full potential. Putting thought into the physical environment, the relationships and community of the class, and the expectations they hold for their students are crucial. These aspects of a class lay the foundation for what the learning environment will be. Reflecting on these points and being aware of how each plays a role with in the classroom is essential in being able to create an effective learning environment with and for students.
The design of the physical environment in a classroom “can influence the way teachers and students feel, think and behave” (p. 26, Weinstein, 2011). The physical space contributes too many factors in a classroom. This includes, but is not limited to, the ease of students’ ability to pay attention, hear and interact with the teacher or peers, communicate concerns or questions, utilize classroom material, and interact with the different resources in the room. The effects of having more students than a physical space was designed to serve are students being cramped, lacking adequate room on desks to take notes, decrease in teacher mobility throughout room, and limitations on doing activities that involve students moving around the room (Entry 1). A teacher who cannot move freely around the room to monitor student behavior and help students individually is a disadvantage to the entire class. When a teacher is not able to easily approach a student at their desk the student will not have the advantage of being able to interact with their teacher one on one. A teacher will have difficulty with classroom management if they cannot use proximity and reach every student. This could result in the entire class being disrupted. Mobility throughout the room is an important consideration for a teacher to make when determining classroom design and management. It is important for a teacher to arrange the desk and seating arrangement so they can move about the room and approach each student. This will result in students having the ability to get individualized help from their teacher and so the teacher can use proximity on disruptive students when necessary. Another important factor that should be taken into account is creating a comfortable and functional classroom.
The design of the physical environment in a classroom “can influence the way teachers and students feel, think and behave” (p. 26, Weinstein, 2011). The physical space contributes too many factors in a classroom. This includes, but is not limited to, the ease of students’ ability to pay attention, hear and interact with the teacher or peers, communicate concerns or questions, utilize classroom material, and interact with the different resources in the room. The effects of having more students than a physical space was designed to serve are students being cramped, lacking adequate room on desks to take notes, decrease in teacher mobility throughout room, and limitations on doing activities that involve students moving around the room (Entry 1). A teacher who cannot move freely around the room to monitor student behavior and help students individually is a disadvantage to the entire class. When a teacher is not able to easily approach a student at their desk the student will not have the advantage of being able to interact with their teacher one on one. A teacher will have difficulty with classroom management if they cannot use proximity and reach every student. This could result in the entire class being disrupted. Mobility throughout the room is an important consideration for a teacher to make when determining classroom design and management. It is important for a teacher to arrange the desk and seating arrangement so they can move about the room and approach each student. This will result in students having the ability to get individualized help from their teacher and so the teacher can use proximity on disruptive students when necessary. Another important factor that should be taken into account is creating a comfortable and functional classroom.