The classroom isn’t just a concrete space with four walls. It is a community.
We now live in a knowledge-based society. The modern world would much rather hire individuals who have the ability to use information by analyzing, evaluating, designing and creating new solutions and products. Therefore, we need to develop learners into critical thinkers and innovators so that they can be productive and involved citizens.
This means that the traditional way of learning is not the only way to go. In this day and age, we must recognize our students’ learning styles and engage with their interests. Learning should no longer be limited to memorization, recalling facts or repeating exactly what the teacher does. Similarly, the learning environment has evolved from the confines of a classroom to different platforms in the virtual world. We have to adapt to cope with the growing need of a more specialized workforce in the future but also a dynamic education system that can effectively teach today’s fresh generation of learners.
The learning environment refers to the diverse physical locations, contexts, and cultures in which students learn. Everyday, students attend classes with different outlooks, beliefs, ideas and behaviors according to their own unique qualities. Indeed, we should focus on the importance of creating an effective learning environment that promotes the inclusivity of all students no matter what culture, religion, sexuality and financial status, with or without disabilities.
In order to do so, we must be inclusive to all types of students and allow them to share and participate with the whole class. If they are given the opportunity to be responsible in their own learning, students will benefit from the lesson and will have a sense of independence and motivation thus improving their over-all attitude in learning.
Each teacher has his/her own standards and regulations. The important thing is to be consistent with it so that the students know what to expect and what is expected of them. Same goes with the establishment of classroom rules. The students should be aware of how the teacher expects them to behave in order to avoid unnecessary classroom management issues.
Another element is creating a positive ambience in a classroom. It should be a dynamic and engaging place equipped with tools that will keep your students interested and having fun while learning. Putting together a classroom like this will surely make the learners thrive.
A positive learning environment comes from the heart. One that is built with love, laughter and the feeling that no one is left behind. Just like how cultures in the lab require specific conditions to grow, different minds need different environments in order to acquire knowledge and arrive at insightful ideas. The role of the teacher goes both ways- we are responsible for imparting ideas to our studentsbut we should also allow ourselves to learn from them as well. Engage and collaborate and together with the class, we can create a brighter future for everyone else.
By: CHRISTELYN R. QUIMLAT | T-I | Bataan National High School
