Teachers need to be receptive to their students by creating a supportive learning environment that will assist students in their academic achievements. There are a couple of factors which facilitates a learning environment which comprises of the learner, educator and the details in the surrounding environment (Memmott and Brennan).
We start off by considering both learner and educator aspect where a learner’s desire to learn is largely fostered by the educator. Having a willing learner can be further strengthened by an educator who plays their part in preparing an enhanced educational environment. A learners motivation to learn can be fueled by their innate enthusiasm being in want to learn new knowledge, skills and values that will benefit them. What is interesting to note is that, this intrinsic motivation to learn which a learner has, lasts for prolong period of time than when compared to extrinsic motivation as differentiated by their earnest desire to grow. Yet at most times, extrinsic motivation has tended to be the core influence in a student’s desire to learn through means of test scores or rewards. The higher scores they achieve, the more fulfilling the learning becomes. But educators should inspire students to have that intrinsic form of motivation by focusing on ways to resolve issues by thinking creatively (or constructively)and downplay the focus on grades (Victorian Institute of Teaching).
Considering things from an educators angle and their role in influencing students’ learning environment, the role of an educator could work by providing an environment whereby they would share immediate feedback with students on their progress by reaffirming certain actions or rectifying areas of improvement. The learning environment in this manner, should be shaped with the intention to strengthen a students’s belief that they are well beyond sufficiently well abled to accomplish their educational tasks and goals. Most teachers have a tendency of focusing on test scores to induce learning through means of threat, most commonly heard, “if you do not learn it up, you will be in danger of failing” and the likes of it. The dangers of this method is that it causes students to exclude themselve from this form of stress as this learning situation is thought to be discouraging (Lippman).
How is this discouraging in a learning environment? Educators ought to be sensitive to the fact that each student is an individual in itself. The teaching method of one-size-fits-all will no longer work as even we ourselves have different sets of learning styles which is no different amongst these students. Some of us comprehend and learn quicker visually than others who are more responsive to portions of texts. These factors are important for educators to consider in order to help students overcome their state of distress by facilitating a condusive learning environment that is all inclusive. We do recognize that the execution portion of this recommendation is complex. Yet the fact of the matter is, each students learn differently and an educators responsibility is to encourage the learner to readily engage in class through supportive functions. Possibly, there needs to be some form of assessment of a students’s personal characteristics, learning styles and learning background (Memmott and Brennan).
Going beyong the learning resources readily available in schools (eg. library materials, audio sound systems), the physical conditions in a school environment has its effect on students’s learning ability. The classroom space, temperature, paint color and lighting can all affect either positively or negatively.
Often overlooked but when it comes to classroom space, simple modification of classroom furnitureware could transform a student’s interaction with their classmates and teacher. By default, students’s desks are arranged in rows but for specific activities to increase involvement, it is encouraged to shape the tables in horseshoe formation which will decrease the chances of any students from being left out. This form of communal open space learning will improve social interactions and boost learning opportunities (Victorian Institute of Teaching).
Resources
1 “The Effect of The Physical Learning Environment on Teaching and Learning”. Victorian Institute of Teaching.
2 Memmott, Jay and Brennan, Eileen M. “Learner-Learning Environment Fit”. Journal of Teaching in Social Work.
3 Lippman, Peter C. “Can The Physical Environment Have An Impact On The Learning Environment?”
