Lindsay Mccraith Portfolio Page

Navigation links: ETAP 623 Spring 2024 | Lindsay Mccraith's Mini Course

About Me

My name is Lindsay McCraith, I started my education at Onondaga Community College, where I received an associate's Degree in Liberal Arts and Humanities. I then attended SUNY Cortland where I received a bachelor's degree in Inclusive Childhood Education, certified 1-6 General Education and B-12 Special Education. Now attending UAlbany mastering in Curriculum Design and Instructional Technology. This is my first semester in my master's degree and I am looking forward to all the growth I will make!

I recently started a new job as a Special Education Teacher for Little Lukes Childcare. I am learning so much, although my goal is to be an Inclusive Teacher in a district for the fall, with the long-term goal of becoming a special education director or professor.

My hometown is Fulton NY, although I recently moved to Oswego, NY. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I also enjoy going to the gym, skiing, kayaking, traveling, camping, and going to the lake.

My Topic and Purpose

My topic is classroom environment, this topic is a blend of the social, emotional, and instructional elements of the classroom. This course will define what classroom environment is and why it is so important. It will also dive into the outcomes and differences between positive and negative classroom environments. Followed by a discussion on the impacts to classroom management, that come with a positive classroom environment. As well as some examples of community builders and family involvement to incorporate into your classroom to support further community for your classroom. I chose to do this course on classroom environment, as this is such an influential aspect of having successful students. I want to show others the benefits of creating a positive classroom environment, not just for the students but for the teachers as well. To hopefully improve the education system for students to thrive.

Scope of Learning Outcomes and Content

Learners will be able to:

Define classroom environment, with specific examples and aspects including culture, atmosphere, and language. I can explain and define what classroom environment is.
Identify differences between negative and positive environments. I can understand the effects of a negative and positive classroom.
Determine the correlation between management and engagement in relation to the classroom environment. I can explain the importance of management and engagement in the classroom.
Explain teaching strategies and practices to implement to create a positive classroom environment. I can learn new strategies to teach to create a positive classroom environment.

Needs Assessment

Educational Opportunity

Within the education system there are many factors that go into a classroom environment, although what is not often discussed is the impact of that classroom environment. The effect of student success has a direct correlation between the learning environment. As stated in the article Mastering the Possibilities by Shambaugh & Magliaro (1997), "Use factors in the instructional environment include patterns of use, reasons for use and instructor characteristics." (Shambaugh & Magliaro, 1997) This stating that the environment needs to have the impactful reason and use to create a space that students are able to thrive. Often misconceptions include meaning that classroom environment is the physical space, although that is just a small aspect. Classroom environment is the whole space, language, community, manor and feel of the learning environment.

Learners

This course is intended for pre and in service educators to be able to expand there understanding of classroom environment. To allow new learning on instructional elements within the classroom.

Analysis of Gaps

With the common misconception of what classroom environment is and the importance of it. Classroom environment is often pushed aside and seen as not the priority. Although with the increase in need for engagement in education, the aspects of classroom environment are becoming more relevant. In society today students need to feel safe and welcomed with a classroom. Teachers need to know the impact that having a positive classroom environment can provide for students success and well being. The reality of it is the educational gap has a significant difference from what teachers were taught 10-20 years ago to what teachers are taught now. Which unfortunately there is still that disconnect to an equal understanding of "new" vs "old" style teaching, as both are very important there needs to be a middle ground. The ideal image for students would be overall growth, which having a positive classroom environment is critical to that development in schools.

Existing Effort

With increased amount of teacher collaboration and staff development, there are efforts to improve the community of school and classroom. New research has been showing the positive correlation between community/family engagement and student success. The Government for Youth addresses the importance of engagement and community in schools. As well as the National Center on Safe Supporting Learning Environments conducted a survey to prove the impact of positive classroom environment in schools. In hope to encourage and prompt districts to focus on the changes needed to promote positive learning.

Intent Statement

This mini-course will dive into the what, why's and how's of classroom environment to allow educators to learn more about specific ways to create a positive classroom environment for students.

Analysis of the Learner and Context

This course is for education students and educators who are looking to learn more information on classroom environment. This course will take the learner through what classroom environment is, the effects of a negative and positive classroom, the importance of management and engagement in the classroom and teaching strategies to create a positive classroom environment. This course is self paced and designed for learners with no prior knowledge or learners with prior knowledge. The digital platform will allow learner to use with any technical device of choice. The full course will likely take a few days to fully understand and engage in, although is designed for learner to pick and choice units, if they may want to focus on specific topics. Learners will have access to resources, videos, images and interactive designs to fit to multiple learning preferences.

Performance-Based Objectives

After completing this mini-course, learners will be able to:

Understand what classroom environment is and explain the impact it holds on students success.
Analyze the content of positive vs negative effects of classroom environment.
Apply what they have learned to reflect on their classroom environment and identify opportunities for improvement.
Implement the strategies to improve their classroom environment and evaluate the changes made.

Task and Content Analysis

Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills

Before taking this course participates should:

Have a basic understanding of navigating and using technology to follow directions
Currently teaching or pursuing a career in education
Understand the basic environment of a classroom in schools

Unit 1: Introduction: What is classroom environment?

After this unit participates will be able to:

Define what classroom environment is and the elements involved.
Understand the aspects that align with classroom environment.

Unit 2: Positive vs Negative Classroom Environment

After this unit participates will be able to:

Determine key factors that are important in creating and implementing a positive classroom environment.
Explain and provide examples of what a negative classroom environment is and the effects it has on students.

Unit 3: Management and Motivation

After this unit participates will be able to:

Understand the correlation between management and environment in a classroom.
Describe and apply strategies to increase engagement within the classroom.

Unit 4: Building Community

After this unit participates will be able to:

Understand what community building is and activities to implement into the classroom.
Determine the importance and ways to incorporate family engagement in students learning.

Curriculum Map

References and Resources

Fraser, B. J. (1986). Classroom environment (Vol. 234). Routledge.
Rosas, C., & West, M. (2009, August 1). Teachers beliefs about classroom management: Pre-service and Inservice Teachers’ beliefs about classroom management. International Journal of Applied Educational Studies | EBSCOhost. https://openurl.ebsco.com/EPDB%3Agcd%3A11%3A9689707/detailv2?sid=ebsco%3Aplink%3Ascholar&id=ebsco%3Agcd%3A44114195&crl=c