How Environment Affects Learning

One of the most interesting aspects of abstract art is how two people can take away extremely different impressions from the same piece. In some ways, a comparison can be drawn to learning--no two people will necessarily take away the same knowledge from the same lesson. This is due to a myriad of differences among learners including culture, student ability, preconceptions, and other variations in the learning process. Teachers have often applied an overarching uniformity in order to combat this, such as teaching to a standardized test. However, these measures are not necessarily effective in conveying knowledge to the student.

Still, there are some ideologies that have proven helpful to learning. The setting in which the learning takes place is one often-overlooked aspect that can help students absorb information and ideas. This includes several aspects, from the physical to the purely metaphysical.

The approach a teacher takes should be grounded on four basic principles. These are essentially considerations to make when laying out lesson plans and material. They include: Learner Centered, Knowledge Centered, Assessment Centered, and Community Centered. The first consideration focuses on what the student brings to the table--what has the student learned about the subject previously? How will their preconceptions shape the way in which they absorb the information? The Knowledge Centered principle is an understanding of the application of the knowledge gained in answering questions and solving problems. The Assessment Centered principle is an acknowledgment of the ways in which the teacher critiques the student, such as how the student has progressed, where they are strong, and where they need improvement. Finally, the Community Centered principle is a focus on how the environment creates a sense of belonging. It is up to the teacher to consider each of these aspects in order to maximize learning effectiveness.

Physical space should also be considered. Something as simple as the way in which furniture is arranged can drastically change the way that students learn. For example, without space for movement, students might feel restricted in interpersonal interaction, hindering any exchange of ideas that the teacher may attempt to promote. Additionally, access to resources (such as texts, maps, and most importantly, the Internet) is of paramount importance, so the physical space should be designed so these tools are quickly and readily available to each student.

But what about learning that takes place online? Is there a difference in the effectiveness of a lesson if there is no actual physical space in which it is taught? Surprisingly, the answer is no. One study performed at the Harvard Medical School Center for Palliative Care has shown that there is no discernable difference in the effectiveness of a lesson taught online when compared to a traditional classroom setting.

There have been many studies conducted about the learning process and how to best create an effective environment for the student. The traditional model of rote memorization and drilling has been scrutinized and deemed as ineffective when compared to new insights into Pedagogical Theory. Unfortunately, the uniqueness of each brain is often ignored in an effort to instill exactly the same knowledge in each student. Instead, teachers should apply their lessons with special consideration for the individual.

The Benefits of Learning a Second Language

In tough times, it is not uncommon for schools to take out foreign language programs first in a bid to balance an unforgiving budget. But in a world where the immediacy of modern technology and the global market challenges all traditional barriers of culture and communication, the ability to speak multiple languages continues to grow in demand.

The benefits of speaking a native tongue in business and world travel are obvious, but there is an abundance of other benefits in learning another language. Just as proper exercise and a healthy diet help increase the plasticity of one’s brain, so too does the process of learning a new language. When you learn another way of communicating, your brain essentially re-wires itself so that inputs (such as the recognition of everyday objects and their associated nouns) are recognized through several different “paths”. Essentially, the brain becomes more effective at learning.

Brain plasticity is at its highest when we are first born and our mind is just starting to get structured. The brain of an infant is far more malleable than the brain of an adult, as it is not yet wired as specifically as the more experienced adult brain. Concurrently, babies are able to learn languages more quickly.

This, of course, includes all languages, even those that are non-vocal. At Ohio State’s A. Sophie Rogers Infant-Toddler Laboratory School, children as young as nine-months are learning American Sign Language as a viable alternative to crying. When their vocal agility fails, they can communicate their wants and needs to teachers and parents through their hands, signing words like “eat”, “stop”, and “share”.

Bilingualism also helps the elderly by slowing the destructive effects of Alzheimer’s. New studies have shown that those who could speak several languages were more likely to have higher cognitive abilities than their monolingual counter-parts later in life.

While English may be spoken all over the world, learning another language can help the individual in many ways beyond simple communication. It sharpens the mind and opens up new paths of learning, no matter if you are 8 months old or 80 years old.