The Classroom and the School
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The Physical Learning Environments
The physical layout and set up of a classroom is a crucial factor in the success of student learning. Teachers need to understand that the feel of the classroom can dictate whether or not a student feels comfortable and wants to learn in that space (Read, 2010). Comfortability and feeling safe in the learning environment are detrimental to student success, so creating a learning space that children want to be apart of is the first step to successful learning (Read, 2010).
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As a teacher...
For teachers, engaging your students is crucial to the success of your lesson. A key role in engaging students is ensuring that their physical learning environment is nurturing and supporting their learning (Read, 2010). A constructivist learning environment aims to promote meaning making and construction of learning, through social interaction. Creating a space that includes social interaction, such as round tables, discussion corners or large areas that students can collaborate in allows the students to direct their own learning through discussion and collaboration with their peers (Jonassen, 1999). Teachers can benefit from creating supportive learning environments as their students will be able to grow and develop in a space that is suitable for a range of different learning styles. Through displaying visuals on walls, having a range of accessible classroom materials and adapting the classroom to suit your students needs, students are learning in an environment that they want to be in which contributes to the success of their learning (Read, 2010).
Retrieved from: http://mriverps.wa.edu.au/sofas-add-to-music-room-learning-environment/
A limitation to designing the best possible classroom environment may be the whole schools lack of funding or resources. Some teachers may also struggle to adapt from the traditional classroom layout, desks in rows, and feel uncomfortable teaching in an environment that doesn't meet their teaching preferences.
As a student... Wanting to learn can sometimes be a struggle for students. Allowing them to contribute to the design of their classroom gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility for the space (Read, 2010). Creating a supportive and welcoming learning environments has many strengths in regards to the students and their success in learning. Learning in a space they are comfortable in engages students and has them wanting to learn (Freiberg, 1999).
A classroom that provides students with a variety of places to learn and collaborate with other students caters for a range of students, from those who like to work alone to students who learn best when working in groups (Freiberg, 1999). A variety of learning spaces within the one classroom creates an environment that is centred around the students so that they can be flexible and have the freedom to direct their own learning (Jonassen, 1999).
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Whilst creating a learning environment that caters for a range of different learners can lead to successful learning, some students need a more structured and managed learning environment in order to succeed. The freedom and diversity of a classroom environment can hinder some students learning as they may feel overwhelmed by all the different areas in the learning space (Barrett & Zhang, 2009).
Changing the learning environment to create a more flexible supportive classroom space may have its limitations in regards to students dealing with change (Barrett & Zhang, 2009). Some students find it incredibly difficult changing the classroom routine, so whilst implementing this type of learning environment would strengthen many aspects of learning, it is most likely that you will face challenges when initially transitioning your classroom.
How to best design your classroom and school to suit the needs of your students:
- Ask your students how they would like the classroom set up
- Design the learning space to include group work, individual learning spaces and areas where students can retreat to when need be
- Ensure the school and classroom environment is welcoming and safe
- Use visuals and colour to promote ideas, for example, posters on the walls - Cater for a range of different learning styles in the classroom and school environment. For example, areas of the school and class that allow for kinaesthetic learning, visual learning and oral learning.
"It is an environment where children can experiment and try out new ideas without fear or failure. It is an atmosphere that builds children’s self-confidence so they dare to take risks. It is an environment that nurtures a love of learning." ~Carol B. Hillman