" A learning environment is anywhere that stimulates the mind; this can be indoors or outdoors".
"A setting where an individual, group or class can learn".
"An interactive space, tangible or none tangible, where skills are developed through multiple sensory experience".
- Year 3 Forum
A learning environment can be anything or anywhere. It is not always about a physical space. It can be the internet, over the phone or from a book.
In my own opinion, If the learning environment is a physical space there should be a balance.
"The environment has to contain the right balance, for example: if the environment is too busy, the child may be more concerned with whats going on. At the same time, if the environment is too restrictive, they will be left bored and lacking the enthusiasm to learn!
All children learn in different ways (Prichard 2009). It has been argued that the environment in which children learn should try and incorporate a number of different tools to accomidate each child's preferred 'learning style'.
Children today learn very differently from how I did when I was in KS1. The Foundation Phase focusses on a holistic approach. Children learn through doing, indoors and outdoors, using a number of different tools. I was almost shocked when first on placement to see children as young as 3 could confidentially use an iPad. Many teachers have also commented how their students seem to be more on task using IT equipment than they would a text book (Prichard 2009). The equipment used in classrooms today arguably helps pupils develop as 'creative thinkers. It teaches them more how to create knowledge and less on how to consume it. IT technology used in classrooms today gives students more freedom in what they learn. Students are researching and learning things for themselves rather than looking in a textbook for the answer or copying the person next to them. They are becoming more autonomous.
Children learn better in an environment that they are comfortable in and have knowledge of (Smith 2005). For most children today that means an environment that is interactive and multi-sensory. An environment that stimulates their minds and makes them think.
BETT is an annual event that continues to research how to make our educational learning environments even more stimulating.
BETT stands for: the British Educational Training and
Technology Show and it take place annually in the United Kingdom. It aims to
showcase the use of information technology in education.
The IT showcased aims to enrich the learning environments in which we work.
The IT showcased aims to enrich the learning environments in which we work.
Reference
Prichard. (2005). Learning
Styles . London: Routelege.
Smith. (2004). How
Learning Environments effect the learner . London: University of
Cambridge.
