Where We Learn and Grow
A learning environment is a multifaceted range of physical, social, intellectual, and emotional elements designed to promote student learning and growth. While an environment can begin in the classroom, it goes beyond the physical environment. A successful learning environment creates a climate in which students can be open, respectful, and safe. However, this environment should also challenge students to engage actively and positively with new experiences, people, and knowledge. Additionally, teachers must create an environment where students are motivated by self-control and desire to improve, rather than fear of failure or retribution.
To achieve a successful learning environment, it is crucial to work with students, colleagues, and administrators to create a positive culture of shared values and expectations. The learning environment is a community, in which all participating actors build upon the experience and expectations of each other. I have frequently asked for assistance and guidance from fellow teachers, administrators, and even students. I have also sought to communicate my ideas of expectations of learning with all of these groups. Furthermore, the internet gives us all the opportunity to create a larger environment of communication. Teachers should be willing to embrace modern methods, such as online classes and communication to reach and engage more students. The keys to forging relationships and creating a successful learning environment is through an openness and willingness to communicate.
I also strongly think that the learning environment involves the organization of resources, time, and space to engage differing students on levels that best fit their learning styles. In my experiences, I have prepared my lesson and classroom management plans to assure an efficient learning environment inside the classroom. In planning and implementation, I incorporate ideas of differentiated learning styles into all of these aspects. It is important to think of students as individuals and to shape planning based on these ideas.
For the modern Social Studies classroom, technological advancements allow teachers to expand the learning environment beyond the classroom and the community. As noted above, teachers can use the internet to greatly expand the ability to communicate, but can also amplify the possibilities for exploration outside the classroom. In my classrooms, I try to promote the idea that we are all citizens of the world with responsibilities to each other. To achieve this goal, I frequently construct activities and assignments to utilize the internet as a tool for investigation and exploration. Through this exploration, I seek to enhance the idea of a global community of learners and instill a deeper perspective in my students. I think that this is a core tenet of the future of the Social Studies profession and something that I feel passionate about on a daily basis. In my Geography classes I created an activity in which students investigated South and Southeast Asian cultural landmarks and cities to plan a field trip to these sites. By doing this activity, it transferred their research to a real-life experience and created a deeper connection to the world and subject material. The National Council for Social Studies actively promotes this idea of a global community as an integral part of the future of the field.
Furthermore, I always strive to be supportive and positive while respecting students, colleagues, families, and communities. The learning environment is shaped by your outlook, expectations, and perspectives. In my experience, a positive and uplifting attitude is one of the most important aspects in promoting a successful learning environment. Students feel welcomed and supported by such an attitude, leading to a flourishing and effective environment. To promote this, I often reflect upon my lessons, my interactions, and my attitude. I promote mindfulness in myself and students and find the practice to be effective and meaningful. This is an practice I try to share with the students by incorporating reflection activities into lesson plans and course work. While sometimes overlooked, I believe that attitude is vital when it comes to creating the learning environment.
For more detailed information on my ideas regarding learning environments, please see my essay on Virginia Professional Practice Standard (PPS) #5: Learning Environments.