Don’t assume that all learning has to take place in the classroom. ‘Open learning’ and ‘distance learning’ widen the choice of 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.
This module will be free to read for at least seven days after publication.
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 ways are found to overcome the disadvantages of isolation and access to equipment.
Isolation can be overcome by using phone calls, messaging, Zoom/FaceTime or email. Messages can be sent between a tutor and students by e-mail, instant messaging or video links. Access to learning materials worldwide can be obtained via the Internet. Videos can be broadcast from existing television stations, either during the day for large audiences or as a scrambled signal during the night for small specialist audiences. The nighttime programmes can be automatically recorded by anyone who has a suitable decoder. A broadband connection enables videos to be streamed or downloaded over the Internet.
The Open University sends laboratory kits to its science and technology students by road. It is also possible for service engineers to 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, the student needs to have 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 breaks in production 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. Many companies have training rooms at their headquarters, so most employees must travel for courses. This helps to minimise disruptions. They also block-book bedrooms at a local hotel. Training at local venues is less expensive than using commercial centres and eliminates costs and complications like maintenance, staffing, and compliance.
Hotels
Some hotels specialise in conferences, while others use events to fill rooms. They often rent training equipment, convert function rooms into meeting spaces, and even turn bedrooms into syndicate rooms—sometimes not ready until late morning because they were used by guests overnight.
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?