More About the Learning Environment
If the learning environment is in
accord with the principles of effective education, it can become the bridge to the
outcomes we all want. When the human environment, resource materials and the
built environment all support these principles, a link is forged to lasting
life skills and abilities.
Creating a Relationship of Trust
The main learning environment is the relationship of trust between the teacher and student. Ask any learner, and he or she can tell you of someone who made a difference in their learning, the mentor or guide who made a lasting impression on their knowledge and on their lives. This relationship is the source of modeling an example, and is basic to the students’ development of social and personal values. Out of this relationship come confidence and security, which are fundamental to the overall development of the individual in all aspects of life, as well as the learned ability to resolve conflicts and build healthy relationships.
Connecting Learning to the Child's Experience
When the learning environment is built around a relationship of trust, the teacher can know the child’s interests and connect the subject matter with the child’s experience, building on the previous knowledge base. The child’s own background and life experiences are valued as key to learning and development. When a child learns in this way, he or she will naturally connect learning to his own experience throughout life, leading to skills in systems thinking and problem-solving.
Acknowledging the Ways in Which Children Learn and Develop
Finally, a learning environment that acknowledges the ways in which children develop allows students to approach material in multiple ways. Teachers are trained to be alert to students’ strengths and different styles of learning. With guidance from teachers, students build from their strengths towards mastery in areas that pose ever greater challenges, with the outcome of individual creativity, initiative and motivation.
With the learning environment as bridge between principles and outcomes, we can achieve effective education:
| Principle | Learning Environment | Outcomes |
| Creating a relationship of trust | Structured around a close and open relationship between teacher and child, with easy access to teachers as resource providers and guides | Relationship building, conflict resolution, team building, communicating, the ability to care |
| Connecting learning with the child's experience | Rich in interdisciplinary and experiential activities which the built environment facilitates. Resources and assessment support the child's integrated personal, social and academic development. | Systems thinking, problem-solving, deep learning |
| Acknowledging the ways in which children learn and develop | Gives scope for differentiated learning, and acknowledges different learning styles, with multi-level resources that can be adapted to the individual. The built environment is a safe place for exploration. | Initiative, creativity, independent thinking, lifelong learning |
