The Physical Environment
Description of the Concept:
The physical environment influences every activity; some influences are obvious whereas others are subtle. Teachers can take variety of actions to create a positive learning environment for the students. The physical environment in relation to a classroom is what is in the space and what is done with that given space, including the size of the room, the shape, the location of doors and windows, the movement of individuals within that space, and the organization of objects within the space (Savage, 2010, p. 67). All of these dimensions create the setting where all activities will take place, and so the way that the physical environment is set up influences these activities as well as the behavior of those students that are engaged in them.
Significance of the Concept:
The way that the furniture and objects inside the given space are arranged is important. One reason is because they communicate to everyone who enters the classroom what is expected of them while they are in that room. Teachers can physically create a setting where the environment elicits the desired behaviors that correspond with their goals and purposes. It is therefore important where a teacher places her desk, the student desks, computers, and other necessary furniture in the classroom.
Practical Example:
A practical example of the arrangement of the physical environment in correspondence to creating the best possible environment for effective student learning and teacher instruction is figuring out where to place the teacher’s desk. The desk can become a focal point for many activities and so it can be distracting for the students; “any activity at the desk is easily observable and can be distracting to everyone in the classroom” (Savage, 2010, p. 75). Taking this into consideration, a teacher may thus decide to place his/her desk in a less observable spot and out of the way of distractions. By placing the desk in the back of the room, he/she will allow the teacher for more privacy when there needs to be a student conference and it will allow him/her to have a clear view of who comes in and out of the door.
The physical environment influences every activity; some influences are obvious whereas others are subtle. Teachers can take variety of actions to create a positive learning environment for the students. The physical environment in relation to a classroom is what is in the space and what is done with that given space, including the size of the room, the shape, the location of doors and windows, the movement of individuals within that space, and the organization of objects within the space (Savage, 2010, p. 67). All of these dimensions create the setting where all activities will take place, and so the way that the physical environment is set up influences these activities as well as the behavior of those students that are engaged in them.
Significance of the Concept:
The way that the furniture and objects inside the given space are arranged is important. One reason is because they communicate to everyone who enters the classroom what is expected of them while they are in that room. Teachers can physically create a setting where the environment elicits the desired behaviors that correspond with their goals and purposes. It is therefore important where a teacher places her desk, the student desks, computers, and other necessary furniture in the classroom.
Practical Example:
A practical example of the arrangement of the physical environment in correspondence to creating the best possible environment for effective student learning and teacher instruction is figuring out where to place the teacher’s desk. The desk can become a focal point for many activities and so it can be distracting for the students; “any activity at the desk is easily observable and can be distracting to everyone in the classroom” (Savage, 2010, p. 75). Taking this into consideration, a teacher may thus decide to place his/her desk in a less observable spot and out of the way of distractions. By placing the desk in the back of the room, he/she will allow the teacher for more privacy when there needs to be a student conference and it will allow him/her to have a clear view of who comes in and out of the door.
Integral Components:
The integral components of the physical environment include anything and everything that occupies the given space, which is the classroom. This would include the location and organization of all the desks, the doors, the computers, the shelves, the water fountain, the television, and any other object that may be inside the room.
Individualization:
I will take into careful consideration how I lay out the physical environment in my classroom. Knowing that where the furniture is located and everything else in the room affects the students' learning and well being will encourage me to do my best to set up the room in a way that I believe will be most effective in aiding in the success of the students' learning.
Relevant Scripture:
James 2:16 "If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?"
As a teacher, I need to not only teach my students and provide them with an education, but I need to also care about their physical needs. This means that I need to take the physical environment where they will abide in for most of their days into consideration of their needs. I cannot just set up the seats in any way I please or their seating arrangements with no care because there may be students who have special needs and need to sit in certain areas or cannot be with certain people because they get distracted.
The integral components of the physical environment include anything and everything that occupies the given space, which is the classroom. This would include the location and organization of all the desks, the doors, the computers, the shelves, the water fountain, the television, and any other object that may be inside the room.
Individualization:
I will take into careful consideration how I lay out the physical environment in my classroom. Knowing that where the furniture is located and everything else in the room affects the students' learning and well being will encourage me to do my best to set up the room in a way that I believe will be most effective in aiding in the success of the students' learning.
Relevant Scripture:
James 2:16 "If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?"
As a teacher, I need to not only teach my students and provide them with an education, but I need to also care about their physical needs. This means that I need to take the physical environment where they will abide in for most of their days into consideration of their needs. I cannot just set up the seats in any way I please or their seating arrangements with no care because there may be students who have special needs and need to sit in certain areas or cannot be with certain people because they get distracted.