learning environment for managers & training development:
It is an ongoing dynamic process. It is the result of the interaction between individuals and environment in which they operate.
Learning environment may be defined as a composite of natural conditions, circumstances and influences, and sociocultural contexts in which an individual is situated’.
Learning environment is the sum total of the surroundings in which individuals interact to enrich experiences, thus leading to learning. There are many theories at play while describing learning environment.
Formal Learning:
Institutional to transmit knowledge.
Highly structured and there is continuous interaction that lead to recognized qualification.
Teachers and learners are the prime stakeholders.
Non Formal Learning:
It is not structured and it is organized with flexibility.
There is no certification.
Informal Learning:
Incidental and individualized, it is not organized.
2. Learning Environment:
◦ It is an ongoing dynamic process. It is the result of the interaction between
individuals and environment in which they operate.
◦ Learning environment may be defined as a composite of natural conditions,
circumstances and influences, and sociocultural contexts in which an
individual is situated’.
◦ Learning environment is the sum total of the surroundings in which individuals
interact to enrich experiences, thus leading to learning. There are many theories
at play while describing learning environment.
3. Based on the different types of settings, UNESCO classified the
following types of learning:
Formal Learning:
1. Institutional to transmit knowledge.
2. Highly structured and there is continuous interaction that lead to recognized
qualification.
3. Teachers and learners are the prime stakeholders.
Non Formal Learning:
1. It is not structured and it is organized with flexibility.
2. There is no certification.
Informal Learning:
Incidental and individualized, it is not organized.
4. ◦ In India, adult education programs, basic education programs, literacy
programs, health awareness program etc. are certain examples.
Curricular experiences are generally formulated keeping In mind the specific
needs of the target group. These are more individualized rather than broad-
based and general in nature. The transaction of learning experiences is centered
around community resources.
IMPORTANCE OF CREATING A POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT:
Some constituents of an institution’s environment are discussed as follows:
1. Physical Environment:
The classroom is the basic structural unit of our educational system.’ Learners
constantly interact with the physical environment of their institutions during
scheduled or unscheduled time, consciously or unconsciously. There is strong,
consistent evidence of the effect of basic physical variables on learning.
5. Different room arrangements, chairs, tables etc. serve different purposes, it is
necessary for classrooms to have some degree of flexibility.
‘Ownership’ and ‘engagement’ of space and equipment by both teachers and
students is important.
2. Psychological Environment:
If building, space & facilities provide physical environment to a school, its
philosophy and practices environment to a school, its philosophy and practices
that provide a psychological environment.
e.g.- Imagine a situation in a school where a learner is kept in threatening
situation. This situation will result in the development of anxiety in the learner.
Anxiety may lead to undesirable behavior, such as escaping from tests, blaming
the teachers for faulty questions, engaging in malpractice and so on.
6. 3. Social Environment:
Through constant interactions with the peer group, a learner learns and practices
the social virtues of cooperation, self- sacrifice and loyalty. The outdoor
activities offer learners opportunities for developing qualities like courage,
resourcefulness, self- reliance and initiative among students. Good personal
relationships develop stability, trust , sense of belongingness, self-respect and
self-acceptance among learners and creates a positive environment for learning.
As a teacher, you are expected to fulfill at least two cognitive demands of the
learners:
a) Academic task demands
b) Social task demands
7. 4. Motivational Climate:
These are 2 factors that are critical for creating such a motivational climate:
value & effort. To be motivated, students must see the worth of the work others
do.
A teacher must demonstrate the value of the task to be performed in the class.
This can be done by telling them the value of the task in daily life. Effort
involves the time, energy and creativity a student uses to develop the ‘work’.
One way that teachers can encourage effort is through specific praise.
5. Understanding Individual Differences:
For creating a positive environment in the classroom, it is essential for a teacher
to become responsive to the individual needs of learners. An effective teacher
has to be sensitive to the individual differences in terms of their preferred
learning styles by varying the rate, amount, nature or content of the instruction.
8. Key Steps:
◦ Link the training to their work.
◦ Awaken their sense of responsibility
◦ Make it personal, honest and sincere
◦ Flex your training style
◦ Use a variety of training methods
◦ Create a risk- free environment
◦ Infect them with your excitement
◦ Keep it timely
◦ Be courteous
◦ Highlight their strengths
9. Pre- Training communication:
All techniques need to be tested, as they vary based on the audience you work
with and the information you deliver. Some approaches are:
1. Incentives: You can try offering employees a reward for signing up for a
course. For instance, offer a certificate of completion, and explain how this
certificate is going to enhance the learner’s career. Get creative.
2. Surveys: By giving learner’s a survey, before the course begins, you let them
know that you are thinking of them, weighing their thoughts and opinions,
and making them feel like a part of the course experience. People love choice,
and a pre-training survey is a great way to make learner’s feel like they’re
being given more options, or at least a part of a group who is making a
decision.
3. Skills & Knowledge Assessments: Send out a quick to find out what learners
already know about the topics to be presented in an upcoming course. Those
who score well feel proud, and those who score low will be anxious to learn
more.
10. 4. Learning preferences Assessments: Conducting a learning preferences
assessment with your learners will create introspection as well as remind
learners which aspects of the course they may need to focus more on (written ,
audio, visual).