Creating a Conducive Learning Environment
The way a classroom is set up can have an impact on the quality of learning that takes place within that room. A room that is conducive to learning will benefit both the children who come to learn, and the teacher who comes to teach.
A classroom should be inviting. This is subjective and changes with the age of the student. Young children in the primary grades prefer a classroom that is designed with their smaller stature in mind. Desks and chairs should be sized so that they can work comfortably. Having different areas in the room that are designated for specific tasks will make it simple for the children to navigate the classroom. Older children appreciate more subdued colors. They also require furniture that is suited to their size. No one wants to be stuffed into a desk or chair that is too small. The decor of a classroom is also important. If your class is aimed more towards children, it would be important to have inspirational and educational characters around the room. Some classic educational characters that can cross any generation gap are the TMNT characters, learn more here.
Organization is key to a conducive learning environment. It can be very distracting to be in a classroom where there are piles on top of desks, piles of books in a corner, overflowing bookcases and walls that are so full of posters that a student has a difficult time locating the information they are after. It is also distracting to the teacher. Taking time each day to keep paper work organized and de-cluttering surface areas will promote a more peaceful feeling. No one works well if they feel they are under stress, and clutter can be stressful to both children and adults.
Once the basics of organization and furniture are figured out, there are many ways to make the classroom feel more like a positive learning community. Some teachers spend a lot of time getting their classroom library ready for children. They have bookshelves with books organized in categories that are meaningful to the children. They have area rugs, bean bag chairs and perhaps even a couch to add comfort to the area. Some teachers add lamps and will dim the bright overhead lights during reading time. Having positive messages on the walls can be encouraging as well. Some teachers even place college posters and banners on the walls to promote higher academics.
Having a clean, well organized classroom can make a difference in the learning that takes place. When both children and adults feel at ease, better learning and teaching are bound to happen.
