Activity B

Preferred learning environment

We all like different environments when we are learning. Some people may want to be very comfortable and prefer soft easy chairs. Other will prefer their learning to take place at a table. The degree of light, noise, food and other stimulants all play a part in creating an optimum learning environment.

Reflection, discussion

Preparation

Decide if you want to use the questions below or make up your own.
Think a bit about your own preferences.

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

  1. Ask tutors to close their eyes and think how they would love this workshop to be. You can use these questions to guide their thinking or make up your own:
    • Would it be in a different place?
    • What type of furniture would be there?
    • Would there be lots of discussion? A video? Art project? Lots of food?
  2. After a minute, have tutors write down or draw what they would like.
  3. Share with tutors your own optimum learning environment – include the following factors:
    • environmental (how much light you need, what room temperature you prefer, what type of furniture you would like)
    • physical (whether you want food or not, if you need water, whether you need to move or not)
    • perceptual (whether you would like to see a video, have discussions, create something)
  4. Ask tutors to share their ideal learning environments. Bring out the concept that we all have different ideas of what is an ideal learning environment. You could ask tutors to note their thoughts on the evaluation at the end of the workshop.

Variation

Tutors may be reluctant to say things about this particular workshop that the coordinator could perceive as criticism. A variation would be to ask tutors to think about a workshop they have attended at some time and imagine what would have made it ideal, using the questions cited in this activity or others that come to mind.