Access to Outdoor Environments / Playgrounds | Assessment Practices |
Challenging Assumptions - students who are able to challenge the ideas presented by materials / teachers / peers | Class Discussions |
Classroom Culture | Classroom Decor |
Classroom Diversity | Classroom Management |
Classroom Norms | Clean Air / Water |
Comradery - experiences that create feelings of fellowship amongst learners | Conflict - social conflict that occurs in the learning environment such as insults |
Conformity - the degree to which students must conform to rules / practices / norms | Continuous Improvement - regularly trying to improve the learning environment |
Creative Environments - learners feel open and brave and offer creative ideas without fear of criticism | Crowded / Busy Environments |
Digital Distractions | Discipline |
Engagement - students ask questions / participate | Freedom of Speech / Groupthink / Self-Censorship |
Furnishings & Fixtures | Group Work |
Honor Code | Independent Research |
Individualism - the degree to which students can pursue their own learning goals / projects / style | Knowledge of Performance - feedback about learning performance |
Knowledge of Results - applying learning to see real world results | Lab Work - the ability to test things and experiment |
Learning Goals - the purpose of learning is clear to everyone involved | Learning Habits |
Lectures | Lighting |
Loss of Face - e.g. teacher that asks students to pick teams such that the last to be picked are likely to feel bad | Music / Soundscapes |
Noise Levels | Openness - ideas from anywhere |
Opportunities for Growth - e.g. access to extracurricular activities | Presentations |
Recess / Breaks / Lunch | Resources |
Roles & Responsibilities - e.g. senior students who have more responsibility | Rules |
Safety & Security | School / Building Architecture |
School Culture | Seating Arrangements |
Social Environment | Social Inclusion / Social Exclusion |
Social Stratification - e.g. uniforms that prevent demonstrations of social status through fashion | Stimulative Environments - e.g. colorful / decorative / cultured |
Student Satisfaction With the Learning Process | Teacher Job Satisfaction - e.g. teachers who aren't overworked and underpaid |
Teaching Methods | Technology |
Transparency - the environment isn't secretive | Unstructured Time to Play / Socialize / Think |
Windows / Natural Light |
Contingency Theory
Contingency theory is the idea that there is no best way to structure, manage or lead things because these all depend on the situation. This would suggest that there is no best way to structure or manage learning environments -- that it depends on the situation including your resources, learners, subject matter and social environment.| Overview: Learning Environment | ||
Type | ||
Definition | The surroundings and conditions where learning takes place. | |
Related Concepts | ||
