User:Meghan hull
Return to: ETAP 623 Spring 2018 Section 6476 | Blended Learning
About Me
My name is Meghan Hull and I am currently a 5th grade teacher in Geneva, NY. I graduated from St. John Fisher College in May, 2017 with a bachelors in Inclusive Childhood Education and American Studies. I am now in my first semester of my masters program at UAlbany.
My Topic and Purpose
Classroom Environment
Kids spend six hours or more of their day in school. Because of this, school has a huge impact on each and every child, whether it is good or bad. I believe that when students walk into the classroom, they should feel wanted, safe, and secure. Their learning experiences within that classroom should be meaningful and engaging. The classroom environment plays a huge role in the impact school has on students. If there is a safe, engaging and purposeful environment for each child, they will be successful and meet expectations. In this mini course, I will enable you to learn about different educational theories and how classroom environment effects students in your room. Here is a direct link to the mini course: Classroom Environment for K-5 Teachers
Learning Outcomes
People who participate in this course will be able to do the following by the end:
1. Participants will understand what makes a classroom positive and welcoming
2. Participants will understand what the benefits are of a positive, welcoming classroom
3. Participants will be able to evaluate their classroom environment
4. Participants will determine how they can make their classroom a positive, welcoming environment for students
Needs Assessment
Problem: Kids spend six or more hours a day in school. This is where they learn almost everything they know: academics, behavior, self esteem, and more. A lot of the time, the teacher thinks about the academics and how to make that material fun and engaging, but what about the classroom environment? So many times teachers forget that the environment plays a huge role. So many behaviors and social issues can be fixed if there is a welcoming and warming environment. According to a source, "the primary responsibility of an educator should be to assure that no child ever feels like they are not worthy contributors in their classroom. Each child must feel a sense of belonging within the classroom. Learning is not merely the absorption of material by a student. It is a combination of many factors. Class room layout, a child centered class room, positive behavior management techniques, mutual trust, a safe learning environment, lack of bias, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to draw out each child’s special talent to make them feel like worthy contributors."
What is to be Learned: People in this course will learn why a safe and welcoming classroom environment is an important support and need when it comes to the levels of student learning academically, socially, and mentally. In this course, they will learn about the educational theory behind a welcoming classroom environment. Students will also be shown many resources that can help them improve their classroom environment. Finally, students will be able to make changes to their own classroom environment to make it more warming for every individual in the classroom.
Learners: This course is intended for teachers who are in a K-5 classroom. Secondary teachers could take this course as well, but may have to adjust some things based on age and maturity. This can also be for general education classroom teachers and special education/self contained classroom teachers.
Instructional Context: This course will happen through the KNILT Wiki. Because of this, students will need a device with internet access in order to complete this course (ex: computer, tablet, laptop). The course will focus on internet based tools.
Exploring the Problem and Solution: The student in this course will be instructed though readings, videos, and self reflections to help them create a classroom environment best suited for them and their kids.
Goals: The main goal of this mini-course is for the student to understand why classroom environment is an important part of education and a child's learning and growth. Once the course is completed, the student will be able to adjust their classroom environment through the use of a checklist and online video tools created to help support the student so that they have a classroom environment that is welcoming and safe.
Analysis of the Learner and Context
The learner of this course would most likely be a teacher who works in a K-5 classroom who is looking to improve or adjust their classroom environment. The learner should be able to navigate the internet and have access to a computer. The learner does not need to have much prior knowledge with classroom environment, but should have knowledge about the education field. They also need to know their students on a personal level to know their strengths and weaknesses in academics, behavior, and mentality.
Performance-Based Objectives
These are what participants will be able to do to demonstrate their learning:
1. Participants will identify what makes a positive classroom environment
2. Participants will evaluate their classroom environment in their classroom
2. Participants will create their own plan to create a more welcoming classroom environment
Task Analysis
1. Goals:
Terminal Goal: At the very end of the course, the participants will understand why a positive classroom environment is so important and adjust their own classroom to make it a more positive environment.
Enabling Goals: To reach the terminal goal, participants will look at different educational theories and how they all relate/need a positive classroom environment. They will then learn about what it takes to have and create a positive environment and look at their own room and what type of environment they have.
2. KASI
Knowledge: They will know what constructivism, humanism, behaviorism, and cognitivism is, and what positive classroom environment is.
Attitudes: They will learn that it's better to have a positive classroom environment then a negative one.
Skills: They will read and watch videos, reflect on their ideas, and read and respond to others.
Interpersonal Skills: They will communicate with others, respond to one another, and give ideas and feed back to others.
3. Pedagogical Approach
Unit 1: By giving participants readings and videos on classroom environment, they will be able to understand what it is and why it is important to have a positive environment.
Unit 2: By having them read about how to get a positive environment, they will be able to analyze their own classroom environment.
Unit 3: By giving participants information and a check list, it allows them to create their own plan to give their classroom a better and more positive classroom environment.
Curriculum Map
References and Resources
Mnosal49, A. (2015, February 18). IMPORTANCE OF A POSITIVE CLASSROOM CLIMATE. Retrieved from https://mnosal49.wordpress.com/2012/12/27/importance-of-a-positive-classroom-climate/