Effective Learning Environments

As you can see by this video, my focus is mainly on catering individual needs to create an effective learning environment. 


Loftus (1979) indicated that for student's to learn they are to be in a comfortable and calm environment. This can be created through a comfortable seating area or different types of learning areas such as, individual spaces and group work seating. To create a calm environment there has to be effective behaviour management in place to create a framework for the children on how to behave. The teacher should create an environment which has positive reinforcement and where the children are encouraged to achieve the best of their ability. 

Due to technology becoming more advanced it is becoming easier to create a learning environment that caters to each child's individual needs. This would include using iPads for individual or pair work and using interactive whiteboards for whole class lessons. Smith et al (2005) highlight that if there is interactivity such as using interactive whiteboards there will be more student engagement. Children like the physical interaction with the board, which could mean they are more motivated in answering questions correctly (Smith et al, 2005).



A learning space should be where all children with different learning styles thrive.

REFERENCES:

Atkinson, R. C. and Shiffrin, K. M. (1968) 'Human memory: A proposed system and its control processes,' in Spence, K. W. and Spence, J. T. The Psychology of learning and motivation. New York: Academic Press. pp. 85-195.

Oxforddictionaries.com (2016) Oxford University Press. [online] Available at: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/ [Accessed 16 Feb 2015].

Piaget, J. (1958). The growth of logical thinking from childhood to adolescence. AMC. 10. 12

Smith, H., Higgins, S., Wall, K. and Miller, J. (2005) "Interactive whiteboards: boon or bandwagon? A critical review of the literature", Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 21(2), pp. 91-101. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2729.2005.00117.x.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978) Mind in Society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.