Learning Environment Design Project

Definition and Description of an Effective Learning Environment

It is almost impossible to come up with a single answer to what entails a learning environment. Teaching and learning are not single events, but a series of events or activities. Therefore, a learning environment can be defined in one way as diverse physical locations, activities, contexts, and cultures in which students learn. This definition recognizes the fact that students learn anywhere, in different ways, and varied contexts within a school environment, and not necessarily within the confines of a classroom (Parsonson, 2012). Considerably, this means that there is an infinite number of learning environments. For preschool-age children, a productive learning environment would be one where they feel secure in the company of caring and responsible adults. It is also an environment where the children have developmentally appropriate learning materials.

My Classroom Management Style and Plan for Managing Classroom Behavior

My self-identified classroom management style is the authoritative style. It is a style that allows me to manage my classroom using behavioral principles. It is also a style characterized by high expectations for good behavior (Parsonson, 2012). All my classes begin with clear statements on why certain behaviors are not acceptable in my class, and why other behaviors are acceptable. In general, this style gives room for a warm relationship with my students.

Classroom management is not an easy undertaking, and it takes proper planning for it to be effective. My plan includes several strategies:

• Deliberately setting the seating arrangement in rows, as opposed to seating in groups.

• Every lesson begins with a set of effective instructions and commands, which are preceded by getting the class’s attention.

Interview two teachers who work at the early childhood level as th...