Stimulating & Secure Learning Environment
The environment in which students work has an impact on learning. Resources are allocated to maintaining classrooms that are conducive to quality teaching and learning. Effective schools establish consistent processes around classroom management. Staff members meet regularly to discuss classroom management and develop strategies for dealing with disruptive behaviours. Discipline policies are determined collaboratively and administered consistently.
Forming answers to the following questions may help to identify how a stimulating and secure environment could be organised in your school:
- Are there particular aspects of our school's environment that are not conducive to student learning? How have we responded to the challenges presented?
- How effective are the strategies employed for creating a positive learning environment in the school?
- How effective are the classroom behaviour and management processes in the school? How effective are the strategies for dealing with disruptive behaviours? To what extent does the student misbehaviour affect the outcomes of student learning?
Links to Blueprint Strategies/Initiatives
Developing a stimulating and secure learning environment is supported through :
Flagship Strategy 1
The Victorian Essential Learning Standards require students to have a learning focus across all three strands of the curriculum to improve student learning and develop learners who can apply their knowledge and skills as they progress through and beyond formal schooling. It is the integrated focus on knowledge, skills and behaviours in the process of physical, personal and social growth, in the disciplines and across the curriculum that develops deep understanding in learners which can be transferred to new and different circumstances.
Through teacher modelling and classroom strategies based on cooperation and mutual support, the Principles of Learning and Teaching P-12 help to create an environment where students feel comfortable to pursue enquiries and express themselves. They take responsibility for their learning and are prepared to pursue and try out new ideas.
Principle 1 is: The learning environment is supportive and productive . The support document, The Principles Unpacked describes how a teacher builds positive relationships with and values each student and the teachers' role in connecting the Principle to specific classroom practice. It also provides practical classroom examples relating to knowing and valuing each student, promoting a culture of respect for individuals and their communities, promoting student self confidence and willingness to take risks with learning, and ensuring each student experiences success through structured support.
Flagship Strategy 5
Teacher Professional Leave provides individual teachers and teams of teachers with extended time release to investigate issues such as student wellbeing, including for example, restorative justice. This may result, where appropriate, in a focus on bullying, harrassment and violence, and the development of strategies and programs to address these issues.
Induction and Mentoring for Beginning Teachers contributes to developing a stimulating and secure learning environment in schools by ensuring that new teachers: have knowledge of available classroom resources and are able to use them effectively to create a cooperative, student centred environment; are aware of and capable of implementing their school's discipline and classroom management policies and processes to create a safe and secure environment; and understand the importance of shared responsibility for their own and their students' welfare and progress.
Flagship Strategy 6
The Effective Schools Model provides a lens through which schools can think about their performance, plans and priorities. Blueprint Flagship Strategy 6 (School Improvement) provides a range of tools, processes and opportunities for schools to improve their planning, reviewing, evaluation and decision-making when they examine their school through the model.
Single Planning and Accountability Document
Enhanced School Review Program
Staff, Student and Parent Surveys
Flagship Strategy 7
By enabling the creation of customised learning spaces within the school, the Leading Schools Fund supports schools in their efforts to create a stimulating and secure learning environment. These spaces are typically ICT rich and able to support a wide range of teaching and learning strategies and activities, as well as providing an area where students are able to work on individual or group challenges.
Professional Reading
The following readings can be located on the web or in hard copy through the appropriate journals or educational texts. These readings have been influential in the thinking behind current educational reform in Victoria.
Classroom Management Strategies
Dr. William Glasser (noting Choice Theory)
(www.wglasser.com)
Barrie Bennett, Carol Rolheiser and Laurie Stevahn (1991), "Where Heart Meets Mind" (Cooperative Learning)
Attractive Learning Environment in Schools
Fielding, R. and Nair, P. (2005), The Language of School Design: Design Patterns for 21st Century Schools , Designshare, USA.
Thinking about new environments - a discussion paper by Peter Taylor from Griffith University.
(www.aare.edu.au/99pap/tay99147.htm)