Self-Reflection: The Learning Environment

Ambiance, physical space, and time are big factors in the success of a classroom. They
play a vital role in setting up the mood for the students as they walk into the room, and can even
help student engagement. In my observations, all the classrooms I went into was decorated with
student work, positive quote posters that were big and colorful and placed all around the room. It
was very inviting and welcoming to say the least. I would want my own classroom to feel that
way. I want my classroom to be littered with my student’s accomplishments and feel bright and
welcoming. I also want my classroom to feel like a safe place, where all of my students are
welcomed and no one is afraid to walk in because they feel ostracized. As my students walk in, I
hope to always great them with a smile and a friend “welcome back to class”. My personal
greeting also makes up part of the ambiance of the classroom and adds that personal touch for
my students.

As for Physical space, most of the classrooms were set up into groups of 4 or more, and
where the students sat determined their group activity that they needed to be focusing on. I also
sat in on a classroom that got rid of traditional desk and had couches, lawn chairs, bean bags,
coffee and wine tables as desk. These students were allowed to sit wherever they wanted and
space seemed a little cluttered, but had its own organizational function. None of the classrooms I
observed has students desk arranged in single filed rows, which I thought was great. The students
really worked together in groups and even helped each other out with questions pertaining to
what the teacher was explaining. There were clear pathways to get around the room, and the
materials were always placed together either in the back of the room, or to the side of the room,
making minimal disturbance as possible.

Finally, there is the subject of time. Time is the most essential part of the classroom, because
it can feel like there is never enough of it, so spending your time wisely is key. As the students
enter into the room, in some classes, there were places to place their book bags, and then head to
their seats for further instructions. Once everyone is seated, then the teacher would go over the
activities for the day, which were always laid put on the whiteboard, and provide them with a
timeframe for each activity. I found that the doing that routine every day really helped keep
everything on track, and the students were more aware of what needed to be done, and how it
could be done in the time allowed. The teachers will also be weary of the clock and try their best
to stick to the time frames. The teachers also account for the times that the students will be
engaging with them, as well as the amount of time they will have to work with a partner or work
alone. Transitions are also done very smoothly when being aware of the time and setting up for
the next activity. I will be incorporating that into my own classroom as well. The teachers I
observed did very well with keeping to the standards of Florida Educator Accomplished
Practices, and that is why I will be taking some pointers from them.