Providing Space to work and Privacy
Kaelyn McCoole
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At the end of this lesson, readers should be able to:
At the end of this lesson, readers should be able to:
Learning Target 1:
Learning Target 1:
Describe the influence that distance learning and the physical learning environment have had on students during the pandemic.
Shelley, A. (2020). Janitor disinfects high school classroom 2 [Photograph] Flickr. https://flic.kr/p/2k7Djdy
Learning Target 2:
Learning Target 2:
Describe the physical guidelines that have been put in place for students returning to in-person learning and how the changes have impacted the students.
Students and staff are having to wear protective gear and have physical barriers in place.
There are more negative than positive impacts on classrooms by having the new safety regulations.
Teachers are having to still maintain a positive learning environment even with the implemented guidelines.
“What influence has distance learning and its physical environment had on students?”
Steven S. (2006). Studying [Photograph] Flickr. https://flic.kr/p/sdUQ7
The process of distance learning and its physical environment has had strong influences on students, their families, and all teachers involved. Through various studies, it has been shown that the physical environment can affect performance, behaviors, emotions, and thoughts.
In addition, the physical environment in an educational setting is very important as it can influence the physical and mental health of students, thus affecting their overall learning experience and academic performance. Having a positive physical learning environment will create a positive learning experience (Zhao, et al., 2021, p. 64).
To create the most positive environment for students, Zhao, Hwang, and Shih discuss factors in physical environment perception (PEP) in their article, “Investigation of the Physical Learning Environment of Distance Learning Under COVID-19 and Its Influence on Students’ Health and Learning Satisfaction”. Spatial comfort is the environmental factor that should remain a top priority for the learning environment as it is the explanatory power for learning satisfaction.
To ensure students have an appropriate learning environment, they should have:
Adequate-sized study space with an appropriate-sized chair and desk
Well-adapted temperature, humidity, and light, ensuring comfortability (Zhao, et al., 2021, p. 77).
Sufficient conditions to practice physical exercise.
Appropriate surrounding noise levels.
And lastly, having stable technology conditions (Zhao, et al., 2021, p. 70).
Though the improvement of physical exercise is not directly related to the increase of learning satisfaction, it does reduce the anxiety and loneliness of students, which, in turn, enhances their mental health and then increases their learning satisfaction and overall academic performance.
The effects of not having an appropriate physical learning environment
Online Teaching. Little girl working on the laptop. [Photograph] PhotoPin. photo credit: shixart1985 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/156445661@N02/50275004857">Online teaching. Little girl working on the laptop.</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)</a>
Not only do the physical characteristics of the learning environment influence students, but fundamental teaching strategies of distance learning made an impact as well. The switch to online learning was challenging among all those involved and the attempts made to adapt to the new environment. Students who lacked self-control had lower study results due to the absence of face-to-face interaction.
Teachers had trouble with their virtual teaching strategies and it resulted in low-class participation due to the lack of student interest and focus (Kong, 2020, 558). Students struggled with having unsuitable learning materials and resources as well as too simple of activities. Teachers and administrators focused more on the academic studies while online learning rather than integrating other extracurricular activities, therefore not making the curriculum “student-centered”. This caused the neglect of individual development which does not align with an all-around development of students (Kong, 2020, 559).
Parents have had to step up and take initiative in their child’s education. They have been given an increase in responsibility for supervising the learning process. Parents accompanied their children during their online school day to assist them in studying, completing the assignments given to them, and ultimately keeping them focused and on track (Kong, 2020, 561).
Stajkovic, N. (2018). Brother and sister learning with their parents [Photograph] Flickr. https://flic.kr/p/2hyXz4e
Interview- Michelle Eason
While there were many changes that occurred while students were learning virtually, there are also a number of changes that have been implemented now that students are back to in-person learning. Michelle Eason, a first-grade general education teacher for Chesapeake Public Schools gave some insight on what those changes are and how they are impacting students and teachers.
What are the physical guidelines that have been put in place for back-to-school learning, and how has that affected students and teachers?
During an interview with Michelle Eason, a first-grade teacher, described how the learning environment has changed since students have returned to in-person learning. First and foremost, there were a multitude of physical guidelines and rules that have been put in place to ensure the safety of all individuals in the building. When asked what those changes were, she explained that there were new changes both in the individual classrooms as well as throughout the entire school, aside from the mandatory wearing of masks and strict hand hygiene.
Grimm, A. (2020) [COVID Classroom] [Photograph]. Getty Images. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/q1-I-9rDU7Mc3Sa0vMwpPvdAszb-h8v8BVPRGwD0GJ2pv4fksw1mczpRw5dM_6U258TjMnJyff8-vA9TapB7tkymIXICu3OjWTjUAcbvHnVwyPxbSQEGpA6Bc9r1zL2qshKq34S73ADW
Rearranging the Classroom
Rearranging the Classroom
Michelle Eason had to completely redesign her classroom. She was instructed to replace the student’s tables with individual desks since the tables could not comply with the safety measures. In order to align with those measures, Eason felt compelled to remove her reading corner, which included a rug for storytime where all her students would gather to participate since it would no longer be permitted to be used.
Since students now sit far apart from each other and the teacher, reading a story is not a logical option, so teachers have turned to online resources to share stories by utilizing the read-aloud feature or a video.
SEO. (2012). youtube logo [Photograph] Flickr. https://flic.kr/p/cyfyR5
Brady, V. (2014) Free Colorful Studen Planner Stickers [Photograph]. https://www.onlinelabels.com/articles/free-student-planner-stickers
Reconstruct Lesson Plans
Reconstruct Lesson Plans
Eason, additionally, had to reconstruct her entire lesson plan, one that she had been using for many years. She had to adjust lessons to remove group discussions, group activities and group work as well as include alternatives to those exercises (M. Eason, personal communication, February 15, 2021).
Masks, Face Shields, and Barriers
Masks, Face Shields, and Barriers
For each individual classroom, teachers had to follow guidelines that included having to rearrange the classroom to ensure that all desks were at least 6 feet apart and constructing see-through barriers, and attaching them on the tops of the desks.
Throughout the entire school, students and staff are required to wear face masks. Those who are closer than 6 feet apart must wear a face shield, in addition (M. Eason, personal communication, February 15, 2021).
What are the Pros and Cons of these new implementations?
Pros
Pros
NONE
Cons
Cons
No cooperative learning groups.
Challenging to pass out materials with desk barriers.
No general area for personal belonging.
No classroom routine.
Some students are mindful of guidelines while others are not, creating tension.
Restricted space.
Eason was very upfront when asked about the various pros and cons of the new implementations. She stated, “there are absolutely no pros, only cons” (M. Eason, personal communication, February 15, 2021). She described it being extremely difficult for teachers during this time. She explains that there are no cooperative learning groups, small groups are virtually non-existent because to do so, all parties must wear both a mask and a face shield, including the desk barriers, which makes for a very incoherent experience. Something as simple as passing out materials is challenging because of the barriers, both the plexiglass walls and the mountains of barriers on the floor. Each student’s belongings are gathered together at their desk because they are no longer allowed to be placed together in one general area, which causes the room to be cluttered and creates many tripping hazards across the room. She said that there is essentially no “flow” to the classroom and no routine. When her students line up, it causes chaos rather than order because half the students are yelling to keep distance between one another and to wear their mask properly, while others are simply not paying attention. In addition, when needing to line up, students must maintain social distance, which extends the length of the line and she says there is simply nowhere for them to go since “everything in the room is spread out, dispersed and cluttered” (M. Eason, personal communication, February 15, 2021).
Is there still a positive learning environment?
Send Good Vibes
Send Good Vibes
Despite the challenges they face, teachers must maintain a positive learning environment for their students to promote academic success. Eason expressed the difficulty in doing just that. She said that sometimes the most she can do is simply joke about the entire process to both her students, and her coworkers, and to remind herself to not become too uptight. She says that everyone needs to have the “go with the flow” mindset (M. Eason, personal communication, February 15, 2021).
How are students handling the changes?
How are students handling the changes?
When asked about how her students are handling education during a pandemic and if there have been noticeable changes, she says she thinks that their ability to learn and their mental and social well-being have been impacted. She says that learning, as well as teaching, is not as creative. By trying to comply with the no-contact rules to prevent cross-contamination, she can no longer use treats as rewards, math manipulatives, or have class celebrations. Due to the restrictions on sharing objects and hands-on learning, she explains that she feels that learning is not as meaningful to students and has ultimately decreased.
As far as student’s mental and social well-being, Eason agrees that it is better for them to be in-person rather than virtual. Students can see their friends and somewhat interact with one another, with the placement of a barrier. With that, though, the barrier makes it so that students have a harder time socializing and can lead to isolation (M. Eason, personal communication, February 15, 2021).
GSCSNJ. (2007). Woman and young girl in kitchen with laptop and paperwork smiling [Photograph] Flickr. https://flic.kr/p/d1yszw
Conclusion?
Conclusion?
The main goal is to keep students safe and promote positive learning and a healthy lifestyle, both physically and mentally. To do that, we need to support them in providing a comfortable, safe, and positive surrounding environment!!
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The physical environment affects all of the following besides?
1. The physical environment affects all of the following besides?
A. Appearance
B. Behavior
C. Emotion
D. Performance
Correct Answer: A
2. Mrs. Eason needs to make her classroom COVID friendly. Which option does not align with the COVID guidelines?
2. Mrs. Eason needs to make her classroom COVID friendly. Which option does not align with the COVID guidelines?
A. Changing clothes to prevent the spread of germs.
B. Creating private spaces for the students to keep their personal belongings.
C. Placing plexiglass barriers on top of the desks.
D. Separating the desks at least 6 feet apart.
Correct Answer: A
References
Kong, Q., (2020). Practical Exploration of Home Study Guidance for Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Hangzhou Liuxia Elementary School in Zhejiang Province, China. Sci Insigt Edu Front 2020, 5(2),557-561. Doi: 10.15354/sief.20.rp026
V. (2021, January). Interim Guidance to K-12 School Reopening. Virginia Department of Health. https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/182/2021/01/Interim-Guidance-to-K-12-School-Reopening.pdf
Zhao, L., Hwang, W., & Shih, T. (2021). Investigation of the Physical Learning Environment of Distance Learning Under COVID-19 and Its Influence on Students’ Health and Learning Satisfaction. International Journal of Distance Education Technologies, 19 (2), 63-83. DOI: 10.4018/IJDET.20210401.oa4
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