Before anything else, I’d like to make this statement:
“Student success is possible in a positive learning environment.”
I know that you have your own unique characteristics of a good learning environment. And we have established our classroom with the aim of promoting student learning. But I want to specify most clearly what is a good environment for learning. That’s our common denominator as educators.
As a teacher, I always think of my classroom as a place where I can hone my students’ abilities to become productive individuals.
So, I always take advantage of my creativity in this aspect and my best classroom management skills to establish a good environment for learning.
Setting up for my interactive classroom, I always see to it that it’s the learning place highly sought after by my students.
I know that each of them is different but I am aware that my students desire a classroom environment that highly supports their individual needs.
For me, a good environment for learning should be highly conducive to student learning.
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The Importance of Developing a Highly-Conducive Learning Environment
A highly conducive learning environment motivates students to learn at their best. Creating an environment where students interact with one another and learn in different contexts is your responsibility as the captain on board.
The kind of community you create in the classroom, as the immediate place for learning for your students, affects the kind of environment you create for them.
As I see it, a highly conducive learning environment encompasses more than the physical arrangement and conditions of the classroom, but it’s about emotional accommodation. Hence, its development needs our creativity and utmost sincerity.
The way we teach is somehow reflected in the classroom setting we develop for our students. If you teach with compassion, it mirrors the kind of learning environment you establish although it is also dependent on a wide variety of factors.
What Is A Good Environment For Learning? 5 Great Characteristics of the Classroom Teachers Must Create
Let me share with you the excellent characteristics of a classroom that makes it a good environment for learning which makes it highly conducive for the students. I know that we have different ways of setting up our classroom, but the following characteristics are somewhat very crucial in increasing student performance.
These outstanding characteristics answer the question: “How should you set up your learning environment?” Here, our teaching experiences matter. So, let’s talk about it. Experience is the teacher of all things as they say.
1. A classroom with awesome structure
Most likely, we structure our classroom depending on the level and kinds of students we have. I usually have heterogeneous groups of students and they are in Junior High. Therefore, I structure my classroom accordingly. I adhere to stimulating and age-appropriate displays.
Based on my experiences, students really are at their best if the classroom is well-structured but not overly done. Just don’t overdo it. The decorated walls spell a big difference and make the classroom an interesting place to stay if there is balance.
I begin with my bulletin boards. Those bare walls should talk to my students. Likewise, they should interact with the walls too. If the classroom is prepared well, the students can also learn better. For me, a well-structured learning environment brings positive results as it supports students in their interests and needs.
Room structuring needs creativity and I believe that we teachers are good at that. As we always aim to give exceptional educational experiences to our students, we should consider how to achieve awesome classroom structuring.
2. A classroom with an engaging physical arrangement
Photo by Charisse Kenion on Unsplash
I definitely adhere to this one. The spatial structure of the classroom highly impacts students’ interests and behaviors.
In my classroom setup, the arrangement of the chairs and desks is very important and should be given careful planning. As I always want my students to be attentive and interactive, I prepare a seating plan which can accommodate all of them. It’s an important part of my classroom design.
The physical arrangement of the classroom doesn’t only discern sight attraction from our students but also ignites their intellectual capacities.
Therefore, it has to be carefully considered and thought of by the teacher. It should include how you arrange instructional materials such as books, manipulatives, and other teaching aids that reinforce learning.
Personally, before each school year begins, I always think of the most appropriate physical arrangement of my classroom considering that I have a new bunch of learners. The layout of my classroom should be well thought of as it promotes student interaction and engagement.
The physical arrangement of our classroom highly influences student behavior and performance. I think of the classroom as not only a space where my students can stay each school day but should be the place where they progress and gain meaningful learning experiences. I always believe that the physical environment communicates student participation and desirable attitudes.
3. A classroom that develops a community
One of the impacting factors which determine if the learning environment is good and effective is how you establish a community in the classroom.
Are your students allowed to express their thoughts and ask questions? Are they comfortable interacting with their peers? Moreover, are they doing their best?
Our students of whatever capabilities will do their best if they can feel our full support and concern for their improvement. Along with what they see in the classroom is how they feel towards your management and teaching processes. Hence, building a classroom community should also be one of our topmost concerns.
Addressing our students’ needs will make them feel that they are an important part of the classroom community. As I have mentioned earlier, the physical arrangement which encompasses organizing your classroom directly leaves an impression on an average student.
Building a sense of community in the classroom is essential for learning. When students are familiar with their daily routines and have developed respect and responsibility for one another, we can say that the learning environment you have established is good and conducive.
4. A classroom that incorporates technology
I admit that learning can take place in a traditional classroom but it’s a lot better in a contemporary setup. Incorporating technology in the classroom will enhance student learning. A simple PowerPoint presentation will excite students. Likewise, the simple automation we use in making our tasks easier through technology will highly impact learning and mean incredible advancement. For example, using the eClass Record in computing the grades of our students will not only help us most efficiently but also makes us more innovative.
The appropriate integration of technology in education like the use of laptops, tablets, and other techy gadgets to facilitate the discussion is one of the best ways to harness student interaction. I know that our students of today are engaged in technology and are using it in their lives.
As we incorporate technology into the classroom, especially in teaching complex concepts, we are encouraging individual learning and growth.
So, I can say that using the best techy applications in the classroom accordingly, emphasizes learning which in turn makes the classroom a good learning environment.
5. A classroom that highly recognizes individual differences
If the classroom is occupied with students who speak their thoughts and who know how to listen proactively, we can say that their individual differences are highly recognized.
As teachers, we are aware that our students perform differently and achieve at a different rate. They just don’t learn in the same way nor perform at the same pace. Providing them with differentiated instruction is a great opportunity for them to develop life-long skills and succeed.
Respecting individual differences can make the learning environment accommodating and nurturing. So, it’s good!
Furthermore, diversity in the classroom should be respected if we want everyone to make the most of the learning experiences we offer. As we manage diversity in the classroom by respecting individual differences we are actualizing a good environment for learning.
Each of our students is unique and forms part of our classroom. Hence, they should be accepted and respected. As we understand the unique beings inside the classroom, we are making them feel that they are welcomed and embraced, thus we are helping them grow.
Conclusion
What is a good environment for learning? I bet all teachers have their own answers to this interesting question. As we specifically design our classroom to promote student learning and interaction, we are all in our way of creating a conducive learning environment that sparks individual growth.
In short, as we make our students become active participants in learning, we are engaging them in a good environment for learning. Certainly, classroom setup is a key component to a good learning environment for it comprises a safe, inviting, and supportive classroom.
A well-thought-out classroom environment makes a huge difference in the student’s performance. So, how do you establish your unique classrooms? How do you affect your student’s enthusiasm to learn?
I know you have great ideas. Feel free to comment below and get your ideas heard.
