Here we go again...

A start of a new module after a few "rest" weeks... MEd 858.. Classroom Learning Environment... What is this course about? Well, the first session was a real shocker. HIGH expectations were set. Numerous readings were assigned and guess what? We are expected to create a blog! My first (but definitely not last) blog to record online reflections of what we have learnt throughout this course... Beginning to enjoy penning my thoughts in an open way like this..

Have learnt quite a few stuff from the podcast and some of the readings disseminated. Better record it down before it slips my frail memory..

Learning points:
1) Definitions of common terms in learning environment research: school climate (how the participants perceive the school environment), school culture (usual practice present in an organisation) and perception (how an individual views and interprets a situation).
2) A learning environment involves the person, personal needs, and the observed human behaviour.
3) Learning environment influences the person: An individual must feel a sense of belonging, empowerment and the ease of cooperation among peers in an effective learning environment.
4) Physical needs, safety needs, need for affection, love and belonging, need for esteem and need for actualisation must be met in an effective learning environment, with the priority similar to that of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
5) Learning environment influences human behaviour: human instincts, habits and behaviour are shaped by the environment.
6) Historically important and contemporary instruments: LEI, CES, ICEQ, MCI, CUCEI, QTI, SLEI, CLES, WIHIC (can you decode the names of these instruments used to assess classroom environment? ;)) I would sure aim to know all these instruments well by the end of the course.. :P

That's all for now.. Cheers..