Importance of Learning Environments

Learning is a flexible and dynamic process which can take effect anywhere and at any time. In the past decade researchers have discovered so much more about learning and how it operates. From the use of MRI scanning Hattie (2008) develop an understanding of the how the brain absorbs and uses information to show that learning has occurred. One of the impacts on a student’s learning that Hattie discovered was the influence from the learning environment and how the visual effects made a difference to their pedagogical development. 

What is a learning environment?

According to Osborne (2013) a learning environment is a place where students are given the correct support to allow them to develop upon their current pedagogies by promoting decision-making, communication and creativity. Keefe and Jenkins (2013) believe that a learning environment is determined by the use of different teaching styles from the teacher. This suggesting, a learning environment is a combination of the physical environment and the individual people that surround the student which influences the learning. Chapman (2008) identifies that there are two types of learning environments, a positive and a negative. A positive learning environment captures their learning attention and motivates them to develop on their learning and inspire them to enjoy education, while a negative learning environment does the opposite and deprives the students from embracing their creativity. Therefore, educators are responsible to ensure that the student’s needs are all met to promote positive learning experience and to ensure that the pupils are engaged with the learning process.

ICT Rich environment

One type of learning environment that is highly common within the twenty-first education system is a technology integrated classroom. Lippman (2010) believes that the new integration of technology is not so different from the Montessori pedagogy theory, which inspires to engage students into education with the use of different tools. By integrating technology into the classroom, creates an innovative format to the learning environment for the students. Henry (2015) believes that due to the way children use ICT as a ‘core element’ to communicate, play and connect with others in today’s society, ICT has become an vital feature to the classroom to engage and motivate students. Technology with the classroom has been able to make education more fun and accessible for every kind of learner.  However, even though technology has many advantages to developing on student’s learning, Peace (2015) Identifies that the learners should not become ‘mesmerised by the technology’ because this minimises the importance of learning and the understanding that technology is there to accommodate the process.

Conclusion

The environment that surrounds the student does have a great impact on their development, physically and mentally. The importance to ensure that the learning environment is catered to the needs of the learner and to ensure that is up-to-date with society that surrounds them. The student is willing to learn if they are engaged and motivated within the setting and they can relate to the learning.

References

Hattie, J. (2009) Visible Learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analysis relating to achievement. Abingdon: Routledge.

Henry, M. (2015) 'Learning in the Digital Age: Devleoping Critical, Creative and Collaborative Skills', in S. Younie., M. Leask., and K. Burden. Teaching and Learning with ICT in the Primary School.

Chapman, R. (2008) 'A Reflective Mentor Model: Growing Communities Practice for Teacher Development in informal Learning Environments', in C. Kimble., P. Hildreth. and I. Bourdon (eds.) Communities of Practice:Creating Learning Environments for Educators.Information Age Publishing. pp. 39-64.

Keefe, J. W. and Jenkins, J. M. (2013) Instruction and the Learning Environment. Abingdon: Routledge. 

Lippman, P. C. (2010) Can the Physical Environment have an Impact on the Learning Environment. OECD [ONLINE] Available at http://www.oecd.org/education/innovation-education/centreforeffectivelearningenvironmentscele/46413458.pdf (Accessed: 29 January 2015).

Osborne, M. (2013) Modern Learning Environments.Core Education [ONLINE] Available at http://www.core-ed.org/sites/core-ed.org/files/Modern-Learning-Environments-v.1.pdf (Accessed: 29th January 2015)

Peace, M. (2015) 'Web 2.0 and Classrooms', in S. Younie., M. Leask., and K. Burden. Teaching and Learning with ICT in the Primary School.

Images

Image 1 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/844897/how-to-create-a-positive-learning-environment-at-home

Image 2 http://learn.org/articles/Twitter_Teacher_Twitter_in_the_Classroom.html