Blog 25

How the classroom set up can influence a students learning

Introduction

            Many studies have been done in order to determine how the classroom environment can influence a students learning. I will be discussing the different ways a classroom environment can influence student learning. Throughout my research I was able to conduct an interview with an elementary school teacher of a second grade classroom. The interview opened my eyes to a different way of a healthy classroom environment. The interview focused on how the teacher expressed how her upbeat emotional state has actually increased student learning. I also was able to analyze a research paper called “Teachers Evaluation of Student-Centered Learning Environments”. The research paper focused on classroom environment and student-centered learning which is being implemented into schools all over the world.  As my research continued I began to understand that the classroom environment has a major impact on student learning. A positive classroom environment is a prime element to providing students with the best possible education and also allowing them to learn to the best of their ability. Many educators are unaware of the impact the environment has on their students. This leads me back to the main question, how does the way a classroom is environment influence a students learning? I am writing this paper to prove there is more to teaching then going over the curriculum. In order to become a better educator, you need to have an understanding of why and how the environment of the classroom influences student learning.

Literature Review

            One article that I decided to focus on for this particular study was “Teachers Evaluation of Student-Centered Learning Environments” written by Dr. Zuhal Cubukcu. This research paper focused on student-centered learning and how it influenced students learning. Zuhal firmly believes that “Learning is not only about knowledge making. Children need to be active learners within the context of culture, community, and past experiences”. This research shows that education is not what it was years ago, and many theorists have shared their knowledge about child development which is now being applied to the classroom.

“Since both students and teachers participate in learning process, teachers are perceived to be a member of teaching environment and students to be the persons whose individual learning needs should be addressed. Thus, teachers by using more recent teaching methods involve students in learning process more actively. This improves and expands teachers' roles, which in time contributes to team spirit and the culture of working together”. (Cubukcu 50)

           

In order to be an effective teacher one must understand how students learn. As a teacher it is important to understand how students learn to the best of their ability and how the emotional and physical set up of the classroom can influence their learning. Student-centered learning is a new way of setting up the classroom to ensure that each student is excelling with their education. This provides a unique environment for the students who are able to work with other students in their class. With student-centered learning the students are able to learn from one another, whether they are leading the group or getting extra assistance, each student is expected to excel and help assist their classmates with each activity provided by the teacher.

Zuhal’s research paper focuses on how specifically placing the students into student-centered groups will increase their education. The new way of educating is to allow students to applying their knowledge to something in real life. Providing with students with different activities will only increase their understanding of the topic. Zuahl’s research paper talks about student-centered learning being able to occur at anytime which is found to be a successful strategy in furthering a students education.

“Student-centered learning environments evolved as a result of changing beliefs and assumptions related to the role of individual in learning. Student ownership for their goals and activities is essential for a student-centered approach. Teachers, while determining on educational models and approaches in their teaching-learning process, should ensure that they allow students to learn on their own”. (cubukcu)

Student-centered learning is another way to set up your classroom environment as an educator. This technique allows students to be able to work together and learn from one another while encouraging students to learn on their own. The lecturing of a teacher is not the only option to teaching anymore and with student-centered learning students are able to take what they have learned and apply it to activities that further their education. As an educator it is important to establish what kind of classroom environment you want to create. Allowing the students to become independent is a successful classroom technique that allows students to create their own environment.

Methods:

            Throughout my research I was able to conduct an interview with an elementary school teacher in a second grade classroom. The interview took place in the teachers classroom during the lunch break and took about 30 minutes. I chose to conduct an interview because first I enjoy communicating with others and second I wanted to get appropriate responses from someone who is already in the field and who can relate to my research question because they are in the classroom on a daily basis. It was a very relaxed interview and went very well. The teacher was honest and open with me about her opinion which is more than I could have asked for. The teacher and I sat in two separate chairs facing one another, I began asking the questions and the teacher proceeded to answer them. I asked the teacher to answer a few questions regarding her experience in the classroom as well as what changes have been made to the reading program for her school. I was interested to see how a teacher who has been with the school for four years feels about the importance of classroom environment. I also was interested in seeing how the teacher kept the classroom environment and if she felt there was anything else she could do to improve her students education. The interview opened my eyes to many things that never occurred to me before. Because I am studying to be a teacher I went into this interview not only looking for answered but also looking for advice, I am pleased to say that this interview helped me with both.