The Learning Environment

Delivering a report in front of the class is not easy, most especially when you’re not ready. It is really important to study beforehand, think about the possible questions your classmates might ask, and formulate ahead questions you will be throwing at them.

This is my cheat sheet while I was having my report about the learning environment. It is sort of a semi-detailed lesson plan.

Okay, we have already discussed about the roles of the teacher and the learner.  Now, we proceed to out next topic, the learning environment.

I have here some chocolates that I am willing to share to those who will participate in the class discussion. In your own understanding what is a learning environment?

Thank you very much. Based on Mr/Ms. Iiea of a learning environment:

Is a church a learning environment?

            Yes. Because we learn a lot of things while listening to the priest or the pastor.

Is an internet cafe a learning environment?

            Of course! When we use ICT tools such as the Internet, we gain knowledge of a lot of topics. If you visit a culinary website, you will know the process of cooking a specific recipe. If you go to a health-related website, you learn simple home remedies. When you entered a tech website, you will access information about the latest models of gadgets. 
The information is limitless, and knowledge in the Internet is infinite.   Everywhere is a learning environment.  Any place can be a learning environment. 

·         This is true when we talk about informal learning.

I        Informal learning means you gain knowledge of something in an unofficial, unscheduled, and unplanned manner.  You just learned it at the very moment a variety of knowledge, issues, problems, and anything under the sun. 
     
        For example, you’re riding a motorcycle. A few meters ahead, there’s an accident. The road is blocked, so at that moment, you learn that gruesome news. A vehicular accident has occurred. You take a detour to reach your destination.    But when we talk about formal learning. 

     Formal learning is obviously the opposite of informal learning.

o   It is a form of learning normally delivered by trained teachers in a systematic intentional way within a school, academy/college/institute, or university.

o   Structured, there is a course outline, and a course description. The teacher has a lesson plan; therefore, it is planned.

In the case of formal learning, the learning environment refers to the combination of the social, intellectual, and physical attributes of a classroom experience.  It is the product of the interaction and relationship between the teacher and the student, and among the students.

Is a conducive learning environment noise-free? Why?

1.    Psychological climate or psychological atmosphere in the classroom. In addition to a favorable physical environment, a favorable school climate must also include:

a.      Safety

                                                              i.      Rules and norms

                                                            ii.      Physical safety

 Despite of the strong rain, the students and teacher felt secure that the building can stand against bad weather.

                                                          iii.      Social and emotional safety: everyone trust each other

b.      Relationships

                                                              i.      Respect for diversity: Understanding that everyone is unique and we have our differences. In a classroom of 40 to 50 students. It’s a big class. You have to consider that there are students from poor family, rich upbringing, beautiful, not physically gifted, others are talented in singing, dancing.

                                                            ii.      School  connectedness/engagement: degree of attention, curiosity, interest, optimism of the students to participate in classroom discussion.

                                                          iii.      Social support of adults and students: feeling that you are cared for, the assistance that you received from the teacher, students and peers.

c.       Teaching and learning process

If I am surrounded by bullies in class, does that mean that automatically I will be a bully, too? Why?

Pine and Horne described a facilitative learning environment:

1.    Encourages people to be active: If everything is smooth and perfect, the students will have the eager minds and ears to learn and listen.

2.    Promotes and facilitates the individuals discovery of the personal meaning of idea:

o   One’s awareness to formulate meaning of one’s own experiences.

o   The teacher does not impose meaning.

o    It is the student’s part to understand and comprehend.

3.    Which emphasizes the uniquely personal and subjective nature of learning: every learner is unique.

4.    In which difference is good and desirable. There is respect for diversity. It is okay to be different.

5.    Which consistently recognizes people’s right to make mistakes:

o   There is no right or wrong answer.

o    Students are at ease to share their ideas.

o   Students learn best when they make mistakes.

o   They are not afraid to make mistakes because committing error or mistake is part or learning.

6.    Which tolerates ambiguity: Staying in uncertainty or not knowing the answer. Openness to ideas. No one is judgmental of what you say.

7.    In which evaluation is a cooperative process with emphasis on self-evaluation.

o   In a facilitative learning environment, there is not competition among the students.

o   The whole group is evaluated, not the individual student. E.g., the whole class passed the exam, only half of the students, or a percentage.

8.    Which encourages openness if self rather than concealment of self:

o   People feel at ease.

o    Students are able to share their feelings, thoughts, and ideas.  In other words, there is transparency. Everyone is welcome.

9.    In which people are encouraged to trust in themselves as well as in external sources: There is strong social support. So it is not difficult to trust others.

10. In which people feel they are respected: In a facilitative learning environment, everyone knows their own value/worth, so it is easy to give respect to everyone. We give high regard to everyone.

11. In which people feel they are accepted:

o   There is a sense of belongingness. Everyone is equal. You know it within yourself that they are part of the group.

12.  Which permits confrontation: Since learners feel at ease and feel that they are accepted, they are not afraid to confront or give feedback and constructive criticisms to other students.

13. A conducive learning environment is necessary in the full development of the cognitive and appetitive faculties of the learner: development of his senses, instincts, imagination, memory, feelings, emotions and will.

 What do you mean by a “child-friendly school?

A school is considered a child-friendly if it provides an environment that is safe, clean, healthy, and protective of children.