Overview

"Learning environment" refers to the social, emotional and physical aspects of a classroom. Cultivating a positive learning environment is important and requires planning by educators. The learning environment entails many considerations, including: 

  • Are all voices being heard?
  • Is it engaging?
  • Do learners feel comfortable with uncertainty and error?
  • Are we focused on the learning process or on getting to the right answer?
  • Are expectations clear?
Trainee in control room

“Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.” - Mahatma Gandhi

Key Learning Points

  1. The learning environment matters in optimizing student learning and motivation.
  2. Educators can cultivate a supportive and effective learning environment by:
    • Communicating clear expectations
    • Engaging learners
    • Creating community
    • Making uncertainty safe
    • Normalizing and appreciating error
    • Valuing diversity
  3. Successful educators demonstrate the importance of the learning process over the outcome.
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Guiding Principles

Learning environment, learner efficacy and learner’s perceived value interact to affect a learner’s motivation. Fostering a supportive learning environment is necessary for motivated learners.

Creating an Optimal Learning Environment

  • Communicate your expectations clearly: Establish rules for the teaching session, such as ‘no wrong answers' and listening to everyone’s responses fully. Orient learners to the session and tasks, e.g., "I want these sessions to be collaborative and inclusive, so if you have any concerns, please come to me and I will work to resolve it."
  • Engage your learners: Show your enthusiasm for your topic! Use active learning techniques and/or appropriately timed breaks to promote engagement.
  • Create community: Develop rapport with the students and encourage them to interact with each other. Use names and consider using name tags or cards to prevent anonymity.
  • Make uncertainty safe: Validate different viewpoints and embrace complexity. Focus on the process of learning rather than the answers. Admit your limitations and the limitations of medicine.
  • Normalize and appreciate error: Make clear from the beginning of the session there are no wrong answers. Communicate your appreciation of the learning process over the outcomes (answers). Reframe errors as opportunities for learning.
  • Value diversity: Value the diversity of learners, educators, ideas, opinions and experiences.
    • Provide opportunities for students to talk about their experiences. Ask questions to encourage discussion, e.g., "Was there anything about your culture and childhood that influenced why you decided to be a (physician, nurse, pharmacist, etc.)?"
    • Encourage learners to draw on their prior knowledge to contribute to discussions.
    • Make learning contextual; students should understand why a particular topic matters.

Use Humor

In this video, Matt Brunner, MD, Hematology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Care, shows an example of an educator using humor and empathy to promote a positive learning climate during his session on teaching medical students.

Wrap Up

A supportive learning environment is key to motivating learners. Communicating your expectations, engaging learners, creating community, appreciating uncertainty and error and valuing diversity are important components of a positive learning environment.

References

Gregory, G.H., and Chapman, C. "Creating a Climate for Learning," chap. 1 in Differentiated Instructional Strategies: One Size Doesn’t Fit All. Second Edition. Corwin, 2007.

Barr, J.J. "Developing a Positive Classroom Climate," IDEA Paper #61. October 2016. The IDEA Center.

Ambrose S.A., et al. How Learning Works: 7 research-based principles for smart teaching. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2010.

Barkley, E.F. Student Engagement Techniques: A handbook for college faculty. Jossey-Bass, 2010.

Guditus, S. Maslow's Hierarchy of School Needs. Reflections of an Educator web blog. 2013.