Creating a Favorable Learning Environment In the Classroom
By Jared Peterreins
A favorable learning environment is one where the students and the teacher are able to freely interact with each other. During these times of interaction the teacher and the students will come across many learning moments that trigger a time in their life that they can relate the given topic. This trigger is set by prior knowledge, the key element of the learning cycle.
The Learning Cycle
“Creating a favorable learning environment, to our way of thinking, should involve helping students link learning to their own lives” Alvermann, Phelps.
This is how the cycle works. Prior knowledge generates a purpose, which gets the attention of the student. From there the student selects the information that he or she wants to bring into context. Then the student creates a better understanding of the information to the way they see it, this in turn modifies their prior knowledge.
CT-RA (Creative Thinking and Reading Activities)
This activity can be used after an assigned reading or lecture. e.g. (Creating Your Own Business)
· Give activities that the students can succeed in. Success maximizes effort.
· Always encourage the students; find something good in everything they do.
· Demonstrate respect for everyone in your classroom. If you respect them, they will respect you and others.
One method that I think works is the Jigsaw Method. With this method there is both individual learning and cooperative learning.