Lesson 3: The Learning Environment
“To heredity, the child owes
his possibilities. However, to environment, he owes the realization of these possibilities.”
Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:
Describe a facilitative learning environment
Presentation of Content
The learning environment consist of the physical environment as well as psychological
atmosphere or the socio-emotional climate which is mainly a product of the interaction and
relationship between teacher and students and among the students.
Physical Environment
The physical environment includes the physical condition of the classroom, arrangement
of furniture, seating arrangement, the classroom temperature and lighting.
We enjoy learning in a neat, tidy, orderly, spacious, well-lighted, well-ventilated and
quiet classroom. We can’t learn in dirty, topsy-turvy, warm, poorly ventilated and noisy
classrooms. How should the environment be structured for effective teaching and learning?
Psychological Climate
Let us not forget that equally important, if not more important, is the psychological
atmosphere or climate that reigns in the classroom. Researchers agree that in addition to
conducive physical environment, the favorable school climate includes safety, relationship and
teaching and learning factors.
a. Safety
i. Rules and norms
ii. Physical safety
Despite of the strong rain, the students and teacher felt secure that the building can stand
against bad weather.
iii. Social and emotional safety: everyone trust each other
b. Relationships
i. Respect for diversity: Understanding that everyone is unique and we have
our differences. In a classroom of 40 to 50 students. It’s a big class. You have to consider that
there are students from poor family, rich upbringing, beautiful, not physically gifted, others are
talented in singing, dancing.
ii. School connectedness/engagement: degree of attention, curiosity, interest,
optimism of the students to participate in classroom discussion.
iii. Social support of adults and students: feeling that you are cared for, the
assistance that you received from the teacher, students and peers.
c. Teaching and learning process
According to Pine and Horne (1990) described the learning environment that facilitates
learning. It is an environment
According to Pine and Horne (1990) described the learning environment that facilitates
learning. It is an environment
According to Pine and Horne (1990) described the learning environment that facilitates
learning. It is an environment
Pine and Horne described a facilitative learning environment:
1. Encourages people to be active: If everything is smooth and perfect, the students will have the
eager minds and ears to learn and listen.
2. Promotes and facilitates the individuals discovery of the personal meaning of idea:
o One’s awareness to formulate meaning of one’s own experiences.
o The teacher does not impose meaning.
o It is the student’s part to understand and comprehend.
3. Which emphasizes the uniquely personal and subjective nature of learning: every learner is
unique.
4. In which difference is good and desirable. There is respect for diversity. It is okay to be
different.
5. Which consistently recognizes people’s right to make mistakes:
o There is no right or wrong answer.
o Students are at ease to share their ideas.
o Students learn best when they make mistakes.
o They are not afraid to make mistakes because committing error or mistake is part or learning.
6. Which tolerates ambiguity: Staying in uncertainty or not knowing the answer. Openness to
ideas. No one is judgmental of what you say.
7. In which evaluation is a cooperative process with emphasis on self-evaluation.
o In a facilitative learning environment, there is not competition among the students.
o The whole group is evaluated, not the individual student. E.g., the whole class passed the exam,
only half of the students, or a percentage.
8. Which encourages openness if self rather than concealment of self:
o People feel at ease.
o Students are able to share their feelings, thoughts, and ideas. In other words, there is
transparency. Everyone is welcome.
9. In which people are encouraged to trust in themselves as well as in external sources: There
is strong social support. So it is not difficult to trust others.
10. In which people feel they are respected: In a facilitative learning environment, everyone
knows their own value/worth, so it is easy to give respect to everyone. We give high regard to
everyone.
11. In which people feel they are accepted:
o There is a sense of belongingness. Everyone is equal. You know it within yourself that they are
part of the group.
12. Which permits confrontation: Since learners feel at ease and feel that they are accepted, they
are not afraid to confront or give feedback and constructive criticisms to other students.
13. A conducive learning environment is necessary in the full development of the cognitive and
appetitive faculties of the learner: development of his senses, instincts, imagination, memory,
feelings, emotions and will.
What do you mean by a “child-friendly school?
A school is considered a child-friendly if it provides an environment that is safe, clean, healthy,
and protective of children.
