The Design of Learning Environment

Compared to the earlier years, schools today face greater challenges and expectations today. Referring the article, “The Design of Learning Environment”, the development of new learning environment probe us to rethink about what is taught, how teachers teach and how students are assessed.

The article explored the design of learning environments from four different perspectives about learning, namely, the degree to which learning environments are learner centered, knowledge centered, assessment centered and community centered.

Personally, I feel that teacher centered learning happens very often in most classrooms (in Singapore) because of time constraint. Many argue that a learner centered lesson needs more time to conduct and even more time for preparation. Especially in situations where schools focus largely on the exam results, most teachers will try to cramp as much information into the students’ heads as possible before the national examination, in order to produce the best results rather than to allow time for students to explore their own learning.

However I totally agree that a learner centered learning environment has many advantageous as compared to the traditional teacher centered learning environment. As stated in the article, a learner centered learning environment focuses on building on the conceptual and cultural knowledge that students bring with them to the classroom. Such learning environment also includes sensitivity to the cultural practices of the students. For instance, in the teaching of literacy, the teacher can bring the students’ cultural background and language together in the lesson. In such an environment students are also given ownership of their own learning and opportunities to further expand on their prior knowledge.

To function effectively in society, a learner centered environment may not be able to sufficiently prepare our students. As teachers, we should try to create environments that help students become metacognitive, by expecting new information to make sense and asking for clarification when it doesn’t. Such knowledge centered learning environment helps students become more knowledgeable. A knowledge centered environment, should foster an integrated understanding of a discipline, and teach skills and knowledge that are organized into coherent whole rather than disconnected parts. Teachers should also ensure that students see a need or reason for the knowledge that they acquired. This helps them see the relevance of the knowledge and make sense of what they are learning.

Besides being learner and knowledge centered, learning environment should also be assessment centered. Ideally there should be a balance of both formative and summative assessments.

It is evident that in Singapore there is an over emphasis on summative assessment. PSLE and “O” Level examination results are the major focuses for most schools in Singapore. However, in recent years, with the introduction of portfolio assessment (in some subjects) and project work we are seeing a gradual shift from summative to formative assessment, allowing continuous feedback to the students who will have the opportunity to revise on their thinking as they are work on a unit or project. Such form of assessment also creates a platform for teachers to keep records of students’ work as they progress throughout the year.

Lastly, community centered learning is also important for learning, where people learn from one another and continually attempting to improve. There are several aspects of community, including classroom and school communities, and the connections to the larger community of homes, businesses, the nation, and even the world. These connected communities become very important, considering the relatively small amount of time sent in school compared to the other settings.

Finally there is a clear need to align all the four perspectives of learning environments as they have the potential to overlap and influence one another.