Different types of learning environments

 

What is a learning environment?

A learning environment is more than just a classroom – it is a space where students feel safe and supported in their pursuit of knowledge while being inspired by their surroundings. Think back to some of the classroom environments you've encountered on your educational journey. In your childhood, the learning environment you were involved in was likely lively and colorful, with desk arrangements that allowed for flexibility if the lesson required more room for movement and physical expression. In high school, your learning environment probably focused more on the head of the class to direct your attention, with rows of desks facing forward.

However, there is more to an effective learning environment than just aesthetics. Instructors can also influence the learning environment through the way they teach and the atmosphere they create in the classroom. They can help influence student learning by encouraging student engagement, providing positive and constructive feedback that promotes inquiry, peer community, and diversity. Studies have shown that a thriving learning environment helps students to learn.

What are the different types of learning environments?

There are different types of landscapes or categories that influence our learning, including our physical environment, psychological environment, and emotional environment. Here's how these three categories can affect the learning environment:

 

Physical

Those lively, colorful classrooms of your youth or the rows of desks that characterized high school fall into the category of physical learning environments. This category refers to the design of the classroom, including how it is arranged to influence learning and which spaces are designated for learning activities. This can include the furniture that is used to fill the space and even the equipment that the teacher relies on to enhance the learning experience.

In recent years, home and distance education has also become part of the discussion about the physical environment. Parents have had to make adjustments at home to ensure their children have a comfortable space to attend class via video chat and work outside of school. For many, that meant creating a dedicated space that helps students feel separate from the rest of the standard home space, so homeschoolers are encouraged to focus and leave school at the end of the day after classes are over.

 

Psychological

A positive psychological environment can encourage students to engage with the curriculum and their classmates in ways that can enhance their personal and professional development. By building trust with students and creating a safe space that is welcoming to all, teachers create a positive learning environment and ensure students have more opportunities to participate, ask questions, take risks, and receive feedback.

 

Emotional

School can be stressful at any age, so students need a positive emotional environment that supports their educational journey. Part of creating a safe psychological environment is addressing the emotional environment's need for self-expression and the freedom to express emotions. By supporting students' emotional needs and feelings, teachers help improve their students' emotional intelligence—which in turn gives them confidence. Teachers can also create a supportive emotional learning environment by creating routines that students can rely on, encouraging variety and choice, and celebrating their successes.

 

 

How can I create a better learning environment?

There are many things parents and current and aspiring teachers can do to create a better learning environment. Some examples:

 

Home

Parents can ensure that their children have a comfortable space to attend distance learning or video courses with the necessary aids, good seating, strong internet connection and more.

Teachers can set parents up for success by sharing plans for upcoming lessons so they can prepare for what's to come, whether by getting needed materials or reading more, and reinforce lessons.

If a student is struggling, parents and teachers can work together on ways to support the student through the challenge, whether it's updated teaching methods, tutoring, or just extra support from trusted parents.

Make study time more fun with some music, timed contests and exercises, memory-boosting scents, and other unique learning experiences.

 

In class

Encourage students to be part of creating their own learning environment. This could mean having an art day where everyone creates artwork to decorate the walls, or it could mean an open discussion in a forum where students can express what they need to be successful in the classroom. It depends on how old the students are and what the focus of the class is, but students will feel more connected to the environment if they participate in shaping it.

Consider using one of the five most common educational theories to tailor lessons to individual students and their learning needs.

By creating a positive and engaging learning environment, teachers can provide their students with the physical, psychological, and emotional support they need to thrive and succeed—in school and beyond.