Nursing

Design your classroom for maximum learning

Staff Development Weekly: Insight on Evidence-Based Practice in Education, September 27, 2007

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During educational sessions, it's important to consider the environment and whether or not it is conducive to learning. How are your classrooms arranged? Do you have the flexibility to physically alter the setting? If you do, think about doing the following:

  • Avoid arranging an aisle in the center of your learners' seats. The center is really the best place to sit for viewing the educator and any audiovisuals. Place aisles to either side of your audience whenever possible.
  • Traditional classroom settings consist of rows of desks or tables facing the front of the room. The educator faces them from behind a podium or desk or stands in front of them. This is a formal structure and can be intimidating for adults. Consider options such as U-shaped groupings of tables or desks, square or rectangle arrangements, or a series of round tables. Round tables are particularly conducive to small group activities.
  • Avoid standing behind a desk or podium. This keeps you at a psychological distance from the learners.
  • If you have input into the selection of wall, floor, and chair covering remember that floral, striped, or vivid colors such as red are distracting. Avoid them. Solid shades in soft colors are preferable.
  • Don't use chairs with rigid backs such as stack chairs. The backs of chairs should be sturdy and support the lower back. Whenever possible, choose chairs that are easy to move.


Editor's note: The above excerpt is from the online course "Nursing CE Series: Successful Strategies for Training Your Nursing Staff." For more information on this and other courses in our library, go to http://www.hcprofessor.com.



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