Understanding Teacher Awareness Of Environmental Conditions That Affect Teaching And Learning
Nolan, Andrew (2020)
Nolan, Andrew
2020
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020120325880
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020120325880
Tiivistelmä
Environmental factors such as light, sound, temperature, humidity and air quality can have a negative impact upon student outcomes (Barrett, 2015). However, little is known about educators' knowledge of what these factors are and how they affect learning, as well as how they can detect and measure them as no studies appear to have been carried out on this matter. In addition, there is the issue of what can be done to modify and rectify these environmental issues in learning environments.
This research seeks to understand teachers understanding of the issues, whether or not they currently monitor environmental factors and whether or not they feel that they can do anything about the issue. Ultimately, this research seeks to ascertain if a monitoring device could potentially be of value to teachers. The study builds off of a number of key studies on the negative effect of variables such as light, sound, air-quality and temperature upon learning. The research was conducted via an online survey of teachers from across the world, with questions focusing on the severity of issues related to the environmental factors, frequency of these issues, as well as enquiring about monitoring and modifying environments. The results were analysed to identify patterns and trends, as well as being subjected to correlation tests.
Results showed that environmental factors do concern teachers on a regular basis, and that they are a challenge to monitor and modify. It also showed that the most pressing factors related to light, sound and temperature – and that this is partly due to the fact they are the easiest variables to monitor and control.
This research shows that teachers have elementary understanding of environmental factors that influence learning; however, they lack precise and specific mechanisms to monitor and control conditions within the learning environment. This finding demonstrates that there is a case for monitoring devices, and potentially devices to modify conditions to be employed in school in order to address these matters. Findings could be used by teachers, school leaders and hardware/software providers to develop solutions to sub-optimal environments.
This research seeks to understand teachers understanding of the issues, whether or not they currently monitor environmental factors and whether or not they feel that they can do anything about the issue. Ultimately, this research seeks to ascertain if a monitoring device could potentially be of value to teachers. The study builds off of a number of key studies on the negative effect of variables such as light, sound, air-quality and temperature upon learning. The research was conducted via an online survey of teachers from across the world, with questions focusing on the severity of issues related to the environmental factors, frequency of these issues, as well as enquiring about monitoring and modifying environments. The results were analysed to identify patterns and trends, as well as being subjected to correlation tests.
Results showed that environmental factors do concern teachers on a regular basis, and that they are a challenge to monitor and modify. It also showed that the most pressing factors related to light, sound and temperature – and that this is partly due to the fact they are the easiest variables to monitor and control.
This research shows that teachers have elementary understanding of environmental factors that influence learning; however, they lack precise and specific mechanisms to monitor and control conditions within the learning environment. This finding demonstrates that there is a case for monitoring devices, and potentially devices to modify conditions to be employed in school in order to address these matters. Findings could be used by teachers, school leaders and hardware/software providers to develop solutions to sub-optimal environments.