Learning Through Campus and Community

           When kids zone out in class, they are normally thinking about something in these three general topics: Drama, food, and the real world. Teens especially have a lot of drama going on in school and this weaves its way into everything. Teens also are constantly thinking about food and are constantly hungry. However, real world news always dominates thoughts. For example, during this recent election, kids of most ages were constantly thinking and talking about the candidates and global issues. Real world news and information can dramatically effect students. This is why it is very important to use all of the resources that the school and community have to offer.

            Schools main purpose is to prepare students for the real world. However, students are confined to the school for the day then confined to classrooms. There are some classes where classroom work is required, but taking ventures outside when possible is a great way to make connections and engage the students by incorporating nature into the lesson. Engaging students is getting harder and harder in this era of technology, so finding ways both inside and outside of the school is a critical part of learning. “Learning is becoming an anytime, anyplace activity, more woven into all the parts of everyday life.” (21^st Century Skills, 2009). What better way to encourage that weaving than making the world a classroom? This connection to the outside world will also subtly encourage self-learning by showing the real-world connections.

            The way that campus is used in grade school can be dramatically changed to benefit High schools normally have fairly large campuses and some outdoor space. The same goes for middle school just on a smaller scale. Utilizing this space could greatly boost student engagement and understanding as well as relieving some stress. A great time for students to use this space would be during study hall or, as my middle school called it, resource. This time for students to keep up with their work is highly limited. In most cases, students are confined to the classroom for the whole block unless they have a note from another teacher. As a student, I can tell you that it gets boring being cooped up in a school all day and would love some outdoor time for a change of scenery and the relaxation factor. If there was a designated outdoor space, like a courtyard or a patio, dedicated as a hangout for study hall students, it would allow for stress to be relieved and focus to increase. Another great way to use outdoor space is during lessons. Taking the class outside for some would be very beneficial to the kids. Using nature to connect the lesson to the world is a great way to get students to think about what else the material applies to. For example, if an English class is reading a poem that uses a leaf symbolically, then pick up a leaf and lead it through the journey it goes on as the poem is read. This is just one example. The outdoors allow for connections and less stress.

Colleges use campus very differently than grade school. While in college, students have more interactions outside of the school. For example, students have the opportunity for internships. These internships prepare the students for the real world by giving them the opportunity to test their knowledge in an environment similar to where they could possibly work. Internships also allow students to see how things work in the job and if it is something they want pursue or if they want to look at other options. This idea should be incorporated into grade school. Students are not getting the hands on experience or the application to the real world with how they are learning now. The opportunity for an internship at a company should at least be an option that students can explore if they want. This would also allow for students to find out if they actually enjoy the occupation and want to pursue it. Students could also save a lot of money if they figure out what they want to do before they spend a ton of money on college classes that won’t help them in the long run. The way to prepare students for the rest of their life is not only in classroom. Explore outside of the classroom and even out of the school to best prepare them.

            The benefits of having an opportunity to relax and learn outside has a lot of benefits. These include relief of stress, increased focus and engagement, and an increase in student connections. “The educational content is not the problem. It is the delivery method and the setting.” (Rewired, 2010). Combining a study hall with the option of being outside and a lesson outdoors into a school day creates a very versatile and exciting day. The opportunity for internships have endless benefits for students. If all outdoors and community opportunities are utilized, students will be less stressed, more focused, and have a better perspective on their futures.

Rosen, Larry D. Rewired: Understanding the Generation and the Way They Learn. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.

Trilling, Bernie, and Charles Fadel. 21. Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our times. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2009. Print.

             

             

Class Environment

       As I enter the dismal, dark abyss known as English class, a feeling of dread washes over me. Laziness and desire to sleep rush through every cell of my body as I long to be anywhere but here.  I sit in my assigned seat in the stifling rows, downcast because I don’t have an opportunity to talk to my friends at all. The “question of the day” is up on the Promethean board, which if giving of a dreary glow, almost inviting me to sleep. I feel as if all my creativity and desire to learn is being swallowed by the shadows covering the room from the limited light from the narrow window in the door. Silence covers the room like a blanket, giving way to only the sounds of pencil on paper. The scent of paper coats the inside of my nostrils as my pencil moves in the form of letters that I am barely aware of writing. The silence, boring scent, and lack of creativity put me in a trance for the rest of class. As I leave, I realize I have learned nothing.

       As I enter the cheerful, bright haven known as English class, a feeling of ease washes over me. Eagerness and alertness rush through every cell of my body as I long for the class to start. I sit in a seat next to my friends, talking about our days. A thought provoking quick write is on the promethean board, which is in the perfect light due to all the open windows, and countless ideas of what to write about flood into my head. I feel as if my creativity and desire to learn are being fed by the natural light and conversation with my friends. The sound of students talking to each other covers the room like a blanket, only giving way if the teacher needs to say something. Multiple scents of nature, air fresheners, and coffee coat the inside of my nostrils, making me even more aware of my surroundings. The chatter, wonderful scents, and amount of creativity make me want to learn. As I leave, I realize I learned more in this class than any other.

       Having a productive classroom environment is just as important as the way that material is learned. If the classroom is bare and dark, the class will not want to get involved. On the other side of the spectrum, if the classroom is colorful and bright, the class will be more inclined to participate. “IGeners reign supreme in their belief that they can juggle more tasks at than once thought humanly possible.” (Rewired, 2010). The classroom should be versatile and allow for multitasking while also being a comfortable place for the students to be.

       It is not always easy to give off a welcoming and thought provoking environment. Natural light is a big plus in classes. If all the light is coming from standard recess lighting, students are more likely to zone out then if the windows are letting in sunlight. Sunlight also helps boost creativity, which is an important skill. The scent of the room is also very important. If the room smells like paper and pencils, the students automatically think “boring”. Instead, using air fresheners, home-like smells (ex. Coffee), or the outdoors. Noise is a very controversial aspect for a classroom. Many students like at least a soft noise in the background while they work. I am one of these students. Opening a window would allow the noises of nature to be a background. Allowing student conversation while it is not necessary for them all to be listening is great as well because it allows them to share thoughts on the material or serve as a small break. It also promotes collaboration. Classroom set up plays a key role in having a good classroom environment. The standard rows or desk may have worked in the past but they aren’t working now. Students get bored with them very easily. My dream classroom would have many different desk setups around it. In one corner, there would be a few desks together around a white board. In the middle of the room, there would be no desks but a medium sized circle of chairs to have discussions. The far side of the room would have couches and large bean-bags to sit on and either do assigned research, additional research, or reading. The front of the room would be set up for instruction. An electronic board would be mounted on the wall and a semicircle of desks would be around it. This setup would allow for multiple things to be going on to increase productivity while also giving a more relaxed feel. The walls of the classroom should not be bare either. The bland grey of cinder blocks is not very good for creativity. Instead, have colorful posters on the wall that have ties to the material while still being interesting. The overall feel of the class should be welcoming and homey. This would allow students to feel more comfortable and creative.

       The way a classroom looks and feels has a major effect how well the students process and understand the material. If the room itself engages the kids, the material will be easier to teach. It is very important to have a good atmosphere for the students so that they can flourish. “A flexible ‘learning studio’ approach that can be reconfigured when needed will be an important part of the blueprint for 21^st century learning. (21^st Century Learning, 2009). The room must be versatile with places for different activities and should be easily moveable. It is imperative that the classroom be comfortable for the students.

Bernie Trilling. 21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our Times(9780470475386). N.p.: Jossey-Bass, 2009. Print.

Rosen, Larry D. Rewired: Understanding the Generation and the Way They Learn. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.