Creating a Positive Learning Environment

Elements in Creating a Positive Learning Environment

1) Physical Setting2) Emotional Climate

Structuring the Physical Environment

Desk arrangements Student placement Classroom decoration Music in the classroom

Desk Arrangement

Desks in groups, with students facing each other, can help stimulate student discussion.

Desk Arrangement Desks in single or double rows are good for demonstrations and independent work

Desk Arrangement

Desks in u-shapes are recommended where possible

Desk Arrangement

Desks in workstations are suited for students who have developed self management skills

Desk Arrangement

Always remember in Desk Arrangement , all seating arrangements should accommodate an inclusive learning environment and that some classrooms may require free and quiet spaces to facilitate learning.

Student Placement

Place easily distracted students away from each other, doorways, windows and areas of high traffic.

Preferably, place to one side of the classroom, close to the front.

An inclusive classroom should place students in areas of the class best suited to their needs.

Classroom Decoration Students like to see their own work

displayed, even in High Schools Class-made posters help students develop a sense of belonging to the classroom

Music in the Classroom

Music can be a great addition to any classroom Use as reward Create positive mood Helps broaden musical experiences In inclusive classroom music can: Comfort/calm and help focus (some students).

Structuring the Emotional Climate“ It is the teacher’s responsibility to value each and every one of the students in their class, so that each student feels special and important.” (Groundwater-Smith et al, 1998, p. 95)

The bond between a teacher and student is much more important for students with management and behavioral issues such as Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) and Asperger’s.

Structuring the Emotional Environment ADHD Students need extra motivation so they can maintain attention, work consistently, and avoid boredom associated with repetitive tasks. (eg. Maths) Asperger’s A bond with the teacher can encourage, inspire and greatly assist them.

5 Basic Emotional Needs(Robert Reasoner, 1995)

Psychological SafetyPositive Self-Image Feeling of Belonging Purpose Behavior Sense of Personal Competence

Psychological Safety In the classroom, it s achieved when the learners know the following:

- What is expected- Feel safe and protected- Able to trust others- Able to anticipate or predict the sequence of events from experience

*Learners who feel secure and relatively free from worry and anxiety feel comfortable and protected and are more willing to take risk, enter new situation with confidence and are better in focusing their energy on the task at hand.

Positive Self Image A teacher can modify a learner’s self-image by doing the following:

- Honoring each child’s uniqueness- Demonstrating acceptance and caring- Building self-awareness of their strength and weakness

Feeling of Belonging*Feeling of belonging make learners feel part of something larger. They feel accepted and valued as a member of the family, team or culture and develop a healthy sense of pride.

This can be done by :- Creating an accepting warm environment.- Involving learners in class activities and give them opportunity to be of service to others.

Purpose Behavior*Learners need to engage in purposeful behavior because it brings meaning to their effort. If their efforts remain directed towards pleasing or complying with the demands of adults, learners will lack internal motivation.

* Teacher address the learners need for purpose behavior when they convey clear expectations, express confidence and faith in their learners’ abilities, strengthen values, such as responsibility, effort, honesty, perseverance, determination, commitment and help learners set realistic goals.

Sense of Personal Competence, Self Esteem

*develops when students have accomplished something worthwhile or behaved in a personally or socially responsible way.

* a product of achievement, not the cause

*a chievement leads to self-esteem Global Self-esteem: a general sense of pride in oneself. Not necessarily a reality-based evaluation Self-esteem leads to achievement (McGrath, 2003) (Shokraii, 2005)

Strategies for Creating a Positive Emotional Climate

Greet students personally Make frequent eye contact Negotiate rules and routines with students Acknowledge positive behaviors Use positive language Interact with students outside the classroom Minimise embarrassment Use humour Use bibliotherapy Use class meetings

Teacher Expectations Pygmalion Effect or

- Rosenthal effect, refers to the phenomenon in which the greater the expectation placed upon people, often children or students and employees, the better they perform.

- Pygmalion effect is a form of self-fulfilling prophecy, and, in this respect, people will internalize their negative label, and those with positive labels succeed accordingly.

Teacher Expectations Self-fulfilling Prophecy

- a prediction that directly or indirectly causes itself to become true, by the very terms of the prophecy itself, due to positive feedback between belief and behavior

- a prophecy, strongly held belief, or a delusion, declared as truth when it is actually false may sufficiently influence people, either through fear or logical confusion, so that their reactions ultimately fulfill the once-false belief.

Characteristics of Effective Teachers(Kenneth Eble, The Recognition and Evaluation of Teaching , 1971)

1. Analytic/Synthetic Approach

a. Discusses points of view other than his/her own.b. Contrasts implications of various theories.c. Discusses recent developments in the field.d. Presents origins of ideas and concepts.e. Gives references for more interesting and

involvedpoints.f. Presents facts and concepts from related fieldsg. Emphasizes conceptual understanding

Characteristics of Effective Teachers2. Organization/Clarity

a. Explains clearly.b. Is well prepared.c. Gives lectures that are easy to outline.d. Is careful and precise in answering questions.e. Summarizes major points.f. States objectives for each class session.g. Identifies what he/she considers important.

Characteristics of Effective Teachers3. Instructor-Group Interaction

a. Encourages class discussion.b. Invites students to share their knowledge and experiences.c. Clarifies thinking by identifying reasons for questions.d. Invites criticism of his/her own ideas.e. Knows if the class is understanding him/her or not.f. Has interest and concern in the quality of his/herteaching.g. Has students apply concepts to demonstrate understanding.

Characteristics of Effective Teachers4. Instructor-Individual Student Interaction

a. Has a genuine interest in students.b. Is friendly toward students.c. Relates to students as individuals.d. Recognizes and greets students out of class.e. Is accessible to students out of class.f. Is valued for advice not directly related to the course.g. Respects students as persons.

Characteristics of Effective Teachers5. Dynamism/Enthusiasm

a. Is a dynamic and energetic person.b. Has an interesting style of presentation.c. Seems to enjoy teaching.d. Is enthusiastic about the subject.e. Seems to have self-confidence.f. Varies the speed and tone of his/her

voice.g.Has a sense of humor.

Reported by:Ms. Cynthia E. Calupas

Topic : Classroom Management & Teacher’s Personality