Remember Anything

Educators dedicate most of their time and effort to their noble profession. They do everything they can to help students maximize their learning potentials. However, several other factors can intervene and disrupt the learning process. These distractions can include traumatic school experiences, failing grades, and classroom misbehaviors. These are inevitable considering that students at certain developmental stages go through various changes that they have to deal with.

The challenge then for teachers is to make the classroom an environment that is conducive to learning in order to keep pupils interested and motivated. The first consideration pertains to the physical surroundings. The classroom should be well lit and ventilated. When it is too hot or too cold, the student’s attention can easily shift away from the lesson to find relief from the extreme temperature.

Moreover, the physical arrangement of the chairs, tables, and other furniture should be neat and well organized. Forming the chairs in a semi-circle around the teacher’s table will give students a clear view of the teacher and the activities at the center of the room. Rearranging this set-up from time to time is a variety that most students enjoy. The same is true for educational resources and posters that are placed at the back of the classroom. They should be constantly updated, well designed, and should contain exciting information that students can relate to.

After answering the physical needs of students, a positive psychological environment should also be put in place. Bullying in the classroom is a widespread phenomenon that can adversely affect a student’s self-esteem and functioning, enough to discourage him or her from attending school. Creating an anti-bullying program that deals with the psychological needs of both the perpetrator and the victim can help prevent personality damages from happening. The classroom should be an environment of respect, obedience, equality, generosity, patience, and unity.

Directly related to student learning is the teacher-student relationship inside and outside the four walls of the classroom. A positive learning environment is created when communication is made open for investigative inquiry and interaction. When students encounter a non-threatening and intellectually stimulating atmosphere, they begin to gain confidence in themselves and are motivated to learn more. Giving verbal praise and encouragement for a job well done further boosts their self-esteem and self-regard.

Gone are the days when the main actor or actress on the stage is the teacher. Student-centered learning environments give pupils the opportunity to think critically instead of being spoon-fed by the teacher. They also allow pupils to make more use of their talents and abilities in activities that require their cooperation. Outside of the classroom, the teacher should also be approachable. A teacher-student relationship that is built on trust and respect gives students the courage to open up to their teachers about their personal struggles and provide them a place for ventilation. This can prove to be beneficial because the support given will allow students to be less distracted by their problems when they go back to the classroom.

Creating a positive learning environment can benefit both the teacher and the learner and result in the achievement of holistic educational goals.

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