Embedded Files
Revisit the Infographic/s
Notice the physical arrangement found in two classroom spaces. Spot the similarities and the differences.
The first picture shows the traditional lecture set-up typically consists of rows of fixed seating. Students face the instructor with their backs to one another. This classroom seating arrangement is historically common in colleges and universities, minimizing student-student communication and largely supporting a “sage on the stage” learning environment. The highest communication interactions between professors and students typically occur with students in the first row or along the middle of the classroom. Students in back rows are more likely to be less engaged.
The second picture shows that the class is being split into large groups. Let the groups work on bigger projects like organizing an event, putting together a play, setting up their own “company”, keep a political meeting with different representatives,etc. The circle is a classic seating formation in which you encourage your students to join a classroom talk or discussion. It’s more or less the same as the conference classroom seating.
In-person classroom seating arrangements affect student learning, motivation, participation, and teacher-student and student-student relationships (Fernandes, Huang & Rinaldo 2011). An educator can amplify student commitment by changing the actual arrangement of seats, tables, and introductions in the homeroom. Educational correspondence hypothesis proposes that guest plans can affect how the teachers speak with understudies and how understudies interface with each other, affecting commitment, inspiration, and concentration. As a general rule, spaces planned in a student focused way, zeroing in on student development of information and coordinated effort, can uphold student learning.
Participate and Assist
Given the concepts and the infographic, how can you participate and assist in a face-to-face learning environment?
As a future educator, first I assess students' prior knowledge and tailor my lessons to build on what students already know because students will feel successful and be more engaged when new content is linked to what they already know. Second allow for student collaboration, well-timed opportunities for students to work together or even discuss a concept mid-lesson can be great for engagement. Turn and Talk is a great strategy where students are given a discussion topic and time to turn quickly and discuss with a partner. The 123 teaching strategy is also great for reviewing content. This works best for material that needs a lot of reviews–more knowledge-level content. For this strategy, the teacher names the concept to be reviewed (e.g., the definition of a vocabulary word), and after counting 123 the students turn and review the concept with a partner as many times as they can until the teacher calls time. Third I use the jigsaw strategy, when working on a large amount of content, allow groups of students to become "experts" on a small section of knowledge, and then have them teach the content to the rest of the class. This allows students to work together and helps them process difficult content in smaller and more manageable chunks. Fourth I’m going to give a task during my lessons because try giving students a keyword to listen for throughout the lesson—you can also link this to a movement or chant. For example, during a lesson about area and perimeter, you can cue students to chant the formula for area every time you say area throughout the lesson. Not only does this repetition build memory, but it keeps students engaged throughout the lesson, and last I give students a choice in how they learn. Students tune out when they feel like their ideas do not matter. Allowing students to make choices about how they learn and the type of work they do will make them feel invested in the lessons.
Notice
Having been exposed to the traditional classrooms in your basic education, it seems that everything is familiar. However, as teaching-learning theories evolve over time there are changes that are taking place.
What changes have you noticed in the face-to-face classroom spaces?
Analyze
What do you think brought the changes in the face-to-face learning environment now?
· Online Learning Environment
· Use of Modern Technology and Application in Learning
From the changes that you identified, choose one that you can do. How will you do it?
I choose the Use of Modern Technology and Application in Learning because the current situation now is different before especially to the education system. As we face the problem Covid-19 pandemic it has a big impact to our daily living and one of a big hit of it is the Education. Students need to adapt the changes and we called it The New Normal together the modern technology and applications that needs to be used. I know some of us are not familiar with other technology or applications instead we murmor lets strive, explore and learn from it in order to go through it. Might be hard for us but I know this shall too pass.
Reflect
Do you think making the learning environment conducive for a face-to-face classroom will enable the learners to achieve better learning outcomes? Explain your answer.
I believe the most important aspect of a safe and positive learning environment is the rapport between a teacher and his or her students. When the students understand that their teacher cares about them and wants them to do well, students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and taking risks in order to learn something new. To build these kinds of relationships, the teacher should take interest in each student's strengths and interests, as well as their struggles and frustrations. He or she needs to act as a positive model for learning and celebrating achievements. When the students see that their teacher can learn from his or her mistakes, and laugh even in times when he or she feels frustrated, the students will feel much more comfortable doing the same.
Creating a classroom community and culture remains another necessary aspect when fostering a safe learning environment. Students need to understand what they have in common with their fellow learners in the classroom. It is the teacher's job to create this community so all students will get along and celebrate one another's differences. Strong classroom communities can form in a variety of ways. Throughout daily activities the students should be part of a collaborative learning effort, sharing their strengths and encouraging each other. The teacher also may introduce a number of jobs or responsibilities students need to complete in order to maintain the physical classroom. This shows students that they need to count on one another, and it keeps students accountable for their own learning environment as well. Classroom jokes, traditions, and pets are other ways to build a strong community. When students enjoy each other's company, they are more likely to be accepting and feel safe in the environment.
Another important responsibility of the teacher is to develop a learning environment where students feel motivated to learn within the boundaries and expectations of a safe classroom. By modeling and encouraging a safe environment and purposeful rules, students feel motivated to do the right thing and help one another. It is important for teachers to put an emphasis on intrinsic motivation in the classroom to keep students interested and invested in their own learning goals. In addition, extrinsic motivators help students understand the expectations of the classroom and aid in their intrinsic motivation. These kinds of motivators include praise, positive reinforcement, and rewards for exceptional behavior.
This being said, the teacher's management plan and expectations play a large role in the classroom community. Students cannot learn effectively in an environment where the facilitator has lost control. The teacher should make his or her expectations and consequences for classroom behavior very clear so students understand rules, boundaries and how to learn in a safe manner. When the teacher's management plan is fair, consistent and organized, the students understand what to expect and can make wise choices and take responsibility for their actions.
Each aspect of community and management play a central role in creating a positive and safe learning space. While it is the teacher's job to facilitate and model proactive and positive expectations, it remains the responsibility of every learner in the classroom to care for and encourage one another. Only with everyone's cooperation and collaboration can the learning environment flourish the way it should.
Write Action Research Prompt
OBSERVE
What common problem have I noticed in a face-to-face learning environment?
One of the common problems encountered in a face-to-face learning environment is an undesirable classroom environment, specifically due to the crowded classroom. This problem commonly happens in public schools where there are so many students sharing in a single room. As a result, the students’ ability to focus and pay attention may reduce during class time.
Can I translate this problem into a question?
How does an overcrowded classroom affect the students’ learning process?
How can a teacher establish an effective teaching-learning process despite the situation?
REFLECT
How would I solve the problem?
Limiting the number of students in a single classroom is probably one of the best solutions. However, for a public school with many enrollers, it is difficult to limit the number of students per classroom because the classrooms are also limited. That is why the solution that I come up with in order to establish an effective teaching-learning process despite the situation is to be wise and smart in the pedagogical aspect and also in the physical aspect of the classroom. It is best to organize the classroom and put some colors for it to become lively. Considering the number of students in the classroom, it is important to have a thoughtful physical arrangement because it will make the room conducive to learning. In addition to that, a teacher must create strategies and approaches in teaching where students are encouraged to actively participate resulting in an effective teaching-learning process.
Will it improve my teaching? How?
Yes. An organized classroom will surely improve my teaching because it gives me a feeling of relaxation. It’s difficult to be productive if you are working in a pale and unorganized classroom. Also, creating different strategies and approaches in teaching literally improve my teaching in a way that I can think of various activities that will meet my students’ educational needs and with the consideration of their individuality and their quantity.
PLAN
What will I do to solve the problem? Describe briefly how you will do it.
In school, it is important to consider the classroom environment of the students not just focusing on “what to teach”. As a teacher, the best solution I can provide to the said problem is improving the classroom environment. Arranging the chairs properly to make it look spacious, putting some decoration and informative posters on the wall just like the different Filipino heroes and elements of the periodic table. In that way, we can create a desirable environment for students despite their quantity. Furthermore, teachers' strategy and approach in teaching is a huge factor for their learning. Fact that crowded classrooms may reduce students’ ability to pay attention and focus, we can create activities that encourage everyone to actively engage in the class discussion and be attentive during the class.
Work on my Artifacts
Visit a school, where the learning environment is face-to-face. Prepare a detailed report describing the face-to-face learning environment in terms of the three components:
All learning takes place in a physical environment with quantifiable and perceptible physical characteristics. Whether sitting in a large lecture hall, underneath a tree, or in front of a computer screen, students are engulfed by environmental information. Specific targets within the environment draw the students' attention, such as armchairs, scarves, and teacups, and they continuously monitor the ambient properties such as the light of the lamps, the smell of the kettle, and the warmth of the fire. In any learning environment students are awash in environmental information, only a small fraction of which constitutes the sights and sounds of instruction.
Students do not touch, see, or hear passively; they feel, look, and listen actively. Students cannot attend to all the environmental information bombarding them at any given time; their ability to gather and understand incoming information is limited. Through automatic and controlled processes, students select information for consideration. They try to understand what they are sensing by piecing bits of information together from the bottom up and by applying existing thoughts and preconceptions from the top down. A classroom with circular tables and comfortable armchairs may look strange because it deviates from expectations formed through prior experience. Students may direct their attention to particular targets in the learning environment that they find more interesting, important, or unfamiliar than others. For some, it might be the instructor's engaging chemistry demonstration. For others, it may be the silvery crystal ball on the shelf. In any learning environment, students manage their limited cognitive resources by actively selecting environmental information for further consideration and by using existing knowledge structures to interpret this information in ways that have worked previously.
The physical characteristics of learning environments can affect learners emotionally, with important cognitive and behavioral consequences. Although emotional reactions to environmental stimuli have been shown to vary widely across individuals and activities, most students would probably find learning difficult in a classroom that is stiflingly warm. Conversely, environments that elicit positive emotional responses may lead not only to enhanced learning but also to a powerful, emotional attachment to that space. It may become a place where students love to learn, a place they seek out when they wish to learn, and a place they remember fondly when they reflect on their learning experiences. In higher education, we hope to provide such places for our students to learn, even as we build yet another large lecture hall and attempt to squeeze our students into crowded, noisy, and uncomfortable spaces. Clearly, some learning environments are more comfortable and offer fewer distractions than others. In any learning environment, physical characteristics that cause discomfort can be expected to interfere with learning; environments that produce positive emotional states can be expected to facilitate learning and the development of place attachment.
PORTFOLIO ENTRY
Title: The Face-to-Face Learning Environment
Describe the physical environment:
The physical environment is the place of learning. Basically, it is the classroom, building structure, surroundings, and the interior of the room. And because it is the place of learning, the ideal physical environment of the school is well-ventilated, spacious, noise-free, delightful, and safe. It must be organized, neat and clean; chairs are properly arranged, with colors and educational visual aids must be present because, with that, students will feel a sense of comfortability. The physical environment is a factor a teacher must consider because it is a visible and tangible thing to students. It has a huge impact on their learning because it’s the place where the teaching-learning process occurs. Through establishing a desirable physical environment, the teaching-learning process is much more meaningful and effective.
Describe the psychological environment:
Psychological Environment refers to the students' feelings and perception towards their learning experience inside the classroom together with the teacher. It has something to do with the rules and discipline being set or imposed. This set of rules keeps the students and teacher together and it leads to a harmonious relationship. In the classroom, the students must have a positive impression towards their experience wherein asking questions, being open to themselves, and sharing their personal thoughts doesn't fear them because they know that other students, as well as the teacher, will understand them without criticism. A psychological safety environment gives the students a sense of comfortability and they are fully aware of their responsibility as an individual. This gives them a meaningful and fruitful learning experience altogether.
Describe the social environment:
Social Environment refers to the culture and the atmosphere that is present inside the classroom. It's the relationship and interaction between student-student and student-teacher that has formed inside the classroom. Social Environment refers to the classroom routines and how it provides an opportunity for students to grow and be functional when it comes to participating in whatever activity facilitated by the teacher. Thus, a friendly social environment pushes and encourages the students and teachers to behave and function as well-disciplined individuals and culturally open to anyone.
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