| Competency 005 |
| Competency 005 The teacher knows how to establish a classroom climate that fosters learning, equity, and excellence and uses this knowledge to create a physical and emotional envrionment that is safe and productive. Reflection: In order for optimal learning to take place, there are four areas that met in the classroom. Classrooms should be learner-centered, knowledge-centered, assessment-centered, and community centered. By ensuring that classrooms meet these components we are also ensuring that everyone�s needs are being met and that conditions are favorable for all students to learn. In a learner-centered environment, they learner comes first. The teacher pays attention to knowledge, skills, and background each learner brings to the classroom. The flow of the classroom instruction is supportive of these differences and allows students to learn from each other. The physical layout of the classroom should also allow for necessary movement and prevent accidents as much as possible. In a knowledge-centered environment, teachers emphasize the importance of new information making sense to the students. The teacher must be able to provide a variety of strategies for this to happen and to keep students motivated. In assessment-centered environments, instruction is provided that allows for a wide variety of assessment methods in order to assess student�s mastery and provide timely feedback to the students. This is part of creating a productive environment. If the teacher is not able to assess the learning easily and effectively, this takes away from instructional time. The layout of the classroom should allow the teacher to observe all of the learning. Location and setup of centers, which also allow for quick assessment, should also be taken into account in arranging a productive classroom environment. Lastly, in community-centered environments collaborative and supportive interactions must take place among students, teachers, parents, and others in the school and community. Students can learn a great deal from each other and others in their community. By ensuring that all of these areas are met in a classroom, we will be setting the stage for effective learning to occur. Evidence of Mastery: Session 6, Chapter 6 Readers Response - The Design of Learning Environments Session 6, Activity 2 - Application Activity |