6. Improve the environment of the classroom.
Teachers can take advantage of the brain’s natural propensity to seek novelty by providing visually stimulating environments that support learning objectives”
Mariele Hardiman
This Edutopia video is one example of how changing the physical environment can help improve student learning.
Teachers can help improve the environment of their classrooms and stimulate attention and learning by considering the physical details of the room. Changes in the environment may be part of a new unit, a new lesson plan, a holiday, or equally important at the end of a unit or lesson. Although the changes shown in the Edutopia clip are drastic, there are small changes that can make a difference.
Some simple suggestions for classroom improvements may include:
Some simple suggestions for classroom improvements may include:
- changing fluorescent light bulbs to full spectrum bulbs that imitate daylight
- adding wind chimes
- placing a diffuser with peppermint or citrus scents
- removing clutter and unsightly stacks of papers
- changing table and chair configurations often
- hanging colorful art on the walls (Hardiman, 2012).