Learning to Learn Module 5 (Learning Environments)

Don't assume that all learning has to take place in the classroom. 'Open learning' and 'distance learning' expand the options for learning environments and, of course, we all learn as we go about our daily lives.

Objectives

When you have completed this module, you will be able to:

List at least six different learning environments, and
State the advantages and disadvantages of these environments.

Learning Environments

Choices of learning environments include:

At home,
The workplace,
Open Learning Centres,
Meeting rooms,
Dedicated training rooms,
Hotels,
Sports centres and social clubs,
Residential training centres.

At Home

Home learning is suitable for programmed learning; it is inexpensive, and many people would welcome the opportunity to learn at home.

The disadvantages are:

possible distraction by home pressures,
isolation from tutors,
lack of specialised equipment.

When we think of home learning, we often think it is limited to text-based training. Home learning can be more creative if we find ways to overcome the disadvantages of isolation and limited access to equipment.

Isolation can be overcome by using the telephone, email or the internet. Students can communicate with their tutors by email, instant messaging or video.

Learning materials from around the world can be downloaded from the internet.

Videos can be streamed or downloaded from the Internet.

The Open University sends laboratory kits to its science and technology students. Service engineers can learn how to repair computer equipment on their kitchen tables!

In the workplace

People do most of their learning outside the classroom, but much of it is random and unstructured. To make the most of experiential learning, students need an experienced coach and a planned series of structured experiences.

Open Learning Centres

Open learning centres are purpose-built rooms fitted with all the equipment and materials needed for private study. They provide flexibility in terms of time, and students can learn at their own pace. Open learning centres are particularly useful in manufacturing areas because production breaks are difficult to predict.

Meeting rooms

Purpose-built meeting rooms are suitable for short training courses, but they are usually too small and the wrong shape for larger classes.

Dedicated training rooms

Dedicated training rooms may well be ideal if you were involved in the design and paid attention to the following:

size and shape of the training room,
capacity of the training room,
heating and ventilation,
lighting,
light switches,
acoustics,
equipment.

Distraction by work-related problems is the main disadvantage of an on-site training room. Some companies have dedicated training rooms at their head offices, which means that most people have to travel to their courses. This helps to minimise disruptions. They also block-book bedrooms at a local hotel. This is cheaper than running courses at a commercial residential training centre and avoids the problems and cost of running your own residential centre.

Hotels

Many hotels are properly equipped to function as conference centres, but too many others see conferences and training courses only as a way to fill empty rooms. They often have to hire in all the training equipment. Function rooms double as meeting rooms, and bedrooms have the beds removed to provide syndicate rooms. I have even seen syndicate rooms not being ready until 11 o'clock because the hotel had rented them to guests the night before!

Sports centres and social clubs

Much of what has been said about hotels also applies to sports centres and social clubs, except that the standard is even more variable. Don't automatically disregard these venues, however, because some of them provide excellent service and facilities at competitive prices. Always make sure that you carry out a thorough site survey, nevertheless.

Residential training centres
Residential training centres are in the business of providing excellent training facilities in suitable surroundings. They are also very expensive. You would only use a residential training centre for longer, more complex courses.

Reflections

In which kind of learning environments do you prefer to learn?

What good and bad experiences have you had as a student in different learning environments?

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