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 21st century learning. (21st 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.
Rosen, Larry D. Rewired: Understanding the Generation and the Way They Learn. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
Great post Ryan. Luckily classroom environment is a big topic of discussion in education these days. I am so grateful to you for lending your voice to this important dialogue because it does have a tremendous impact on learning!
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