ALAM BELAJAR: PENGENALAN

THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT: INTRODUCTION

CONCEPTS OF LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

The learning environment refers to the learning context or learning situation that can stimulate students to learn and achieve the target of behavioral change

This includes the learning environment in the classroom, the school and in the home

Three aspects of the learning environment:

psychosocial

physical

learning community

Psychosocial Aspect Refers to the psychological aspect and social interaction among children

Children who are from families that are full of love and warmth are usually more positive and psychologically more stable - they develop positively as well in school

The importance of the psychological aspect is emphasized by Maslow in his Hierarchy of Needs (safety, belongingness, love and self-esteem needs) Social interaction in the classroom refers to interaction between the T-S and S-S

Student interaction can be studied through drawing a sociogram - asking students o indicate who they like most and then compiling their responses graphically

Teachers play a very important role in ensuring that a healthy classroom environment exists

Teachers should be good managers of the classroom environment and ensure that there is:

- healthy relationships between students

- classroom routine

- fair implementation of classroom rules

- a warm psychological environment

The situation at home also affects learning in children

Children from families that prioritize learning i.e. parents who give support and guidance and monitor their childrens progress usually do better academically compared to their counterparts from families that do not prioritize learning The Physical Aspect The physical environment in the classroom, school and home can influence learning

The physical condition in the classroom includes:

- the physical facilities / infra-structure arrangement of chairs and tables

- the ventilation, lighting, cleanliness, esthetic aspects of the classroom

The location of the classroom and school also affects learning - in terms of noise level, distraction, interruption, safety

Learning Community Refers to a group of people who share, cooperate and collaborate in the learning process

The school and classroom is where the learning community study, help and support each other

Each learning community has the following four characteristics:

- membership

- influence

- meets the individuals needs

- shares events or actions and feelings The teachers role is to create a healthy learning community where there is rapport among members and each is always ready to help the other

The outside environment is not under the control of the teacher refer to Bronfenbrenners theory regarding the effect of the environment on social development of children but the teacher should be aware of this and not assume that all children have the same learning environment outside school

Childrens Learning Experience Children learn through the experiences that they have first-hand experience

First-hand experience is the natural way human beings learn and this form of learning is most effective, more meaningful and permanent in memory

Holts (1995) principles concerning how children learn naturally; They:

have innate interest and ability to learn

themselves know how to learn

need peace and quiet to think are not afraid to admit that they dont know or to make mistakes

are able to appreciate intrinsic values in what they learn

learn about relationships with others through interaction

learn best about the world through first-hand experience

need enough time to be with the family

cannot study under pressure These principles show that first-hand experiences are very important

Children learn through doing, experiencing or going through what they are learning

Children like to question and try out new things without feeling afraid of making mistakes as a result, they learn faster and acquire skills such as using the computer, hand phone, etc much faster compared to adults

The role of teachers is to expose children to environments that stimulate their minds and provide opportunities for them to study / explore on their own

Teachers who are aware of how children learn will take the following four aspects into consideration when planning effective T-L activities, that is, learning must be:

- student centered

- information/knowledge-based

- guided by learning assessment

- learning community-basedTHE ROLE AND IMPORTANCE OF PLAY IN THE LEARNING PROCESS OF CHILDRENWhat is PLAY? First-hand experiences that are most basic occur during play

Children learn through the process of play

Learning that occurs through play is holistic

Children often create their own play, includes the rules, taking turns and improvising things They are also very innovative as they are able to create play with just anything

Piaget believed that play can contribute to the cognitive development of children

Vygotsky and Piaget believed that play provides opportunities for children to learn more about the world around them besides expanding their thinking and imagination

Play provides opportunities for children to learn in an informal, enjoyable, free, intrinsically motivated, voluntary, active and safe environment

Play has often been wrongly assumed to be useless or a waste of time or something that is used to keep children occupied so that they wont disturb adults

Learning Through Play Play is one of the most powerful vehicles children have for trying out and mastering new skills, concepts, and experiences

Play can help children develop the knowledge they need to connect in meaningful ways to the challenges they encounter in school

As children play, they resolve confusing social, emotional, and intellectual issues by coming up with new solutions and ideas They experience the sense of power that comes from being in control and figuring things out on their own (something children often do not get to do in real life)

Play helps them develop a positive attitude toward learning Importance of PlayThe main aim of play is to help in the holistic development of children

Play provides opportunities for children to express their ideas, feelings and emotions

Children are able to relax during play

Play can help in the development of gross and fine motor skills

Play prepares children to face the adult world

Play contributes to socioemotional, moral dan cognitive development Play results in learning in the cognitive, social and psychomotor domains

Play reinforces learning: - repetition, recall, exploring, summarizing, relating, imitating, rehearsing, imagining

Play helps to develop the individual in terms of moral values, skills, intrinsic motivation to learn, self-respect and self-confidence

As a whole, play helps in cognitive, physical and socio-emotional development of childrenPhysical development through play Psychomotor skills, that is, gross and fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, and locomotor as well as non-locomotor movements can be developed through play (Latin loc from a place) Children learn to run, jump, climb, throw and kick a ball while engaged in games or sports

Science garden activities involve planting, watering, touching, digging these activities help in the development of gross and fine motor skills as well as sensory abilities Activities such as coloring, tracing, drawing, building, joining are able to develop manipulative, eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills

Cognitive development through play Listening, reading, discussing, and conversing during play contribute to cognitive development in children

Through play, acting out a play/story that has been told can speed up language acquisitionSocio-emotional development through play Social games provide children with the opportunity to interact with peers they learn how to respect others, share materials and wait for their turn

Activities such as drama and simulations help children to mature faster so that they are more ready to face the adult world

References:Noriati A. Rashid, Boon, P. Y., Sharifah Fakhriah Syed Ahmad. (2008). Murid dan alam belajar. Shah Alam: Oxford Fajar Sdn Bhd.Woolfolk, A. (2010). Educational Psychology(11th ed). New Jersey: Pearson

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