Creating an environment for student learning

Creating an Environment for Learning

While classrooms are socially complex environments, they can generally be considered in terms of three dimensions:

• Physical: Students are comfortable and not distracted by sensory stimuli such as noise. Seating and workspaces are arranged to complement planned activities, and to promote student interaction.
  
  
• Emotional/Social: Students feel secure in expressing their ideas, attempting unfamiliar tasks, and interacting with peers.
  
  
• Intellectual: Students personally invest in their own learning, and are enthusiastic for subject matter.

• Arriving early to class and chatting with students.
• Making eye contact.
• Having everyone learn and use names.
• Using positive language.
• Moving chairs and desks to facilitate exchanges.
• Being consistent and transparent.
• Rewarding and acknowledging contributions.
• Explicitly referring and responding to students’ needs.
• Only interrupting students if necessary.
• Modeling respectful behavior.

A positive classroom space and culture:

• Improves student motivation, enthusiasm and engagement
• Encourages students to take intellectual risks
• Helps students interact with, and learn from, each other
• Increases likelihood that students will seek help and support beyond the classroom.