Optimal EnvironmentsOptimal Environments

Jensen, Chapter 5Jensen, Chapter 5

Psychological EnvironmentPsychological Environment– Facilitator – learner relationshipFacilitator – learner relationship

TrustTrust SafetySafety students feel good & learnstudents feel good & learn Mutual respectMutual respect

– It is the teacher’s duty to provide for positive It is the teacher’s duty to provide for positive psychological, emotional and social climatepsychological, emotional and social climate

VisualEnvironmentColor

VividImages

Peripherals

36 visual messages per hour36 visual messages per hour Brain registers @80% of the informationBrain registers @80% of the information RetinaRetina40% of all the nerve fibers connected to the brain (contrast, 40% of all the nerve fibers connected to the brain (contrast,

tilt, curvature, line ends, color and sizetilt, curvature, line ends, color and size Attract the brain with movement, contrast and color changesAttract the brain with movement, contrast and color changes

ColorColor Vivid ImagesVivid Images Peripherals Peripherals LightLight Memory for Memory for

colors recalledcolors recalled

betterbetter

How it affects How it affects

you depend on you depend on

your your

personalitypersonality

Color preferences Color preferences

might be innate might be innate

Use color!!!!Use color!!!!

Brain:Brain:

High contrast and High contrast and

noveltynovelty

90% of input is 90% of input is

from the visualfrom the visual

fieldfield

Immediate Immediate response to:response to:

symbolssymbols

iconsicons

Colors, Colors,

decorations,decorations,

sounds, smellssounds, smells

should be should be

included in included in

teaching in teaching in termsterms

of positive of positive

affirmations =affirmations =

LONGER LONGER

RECALLRECALL

Better attendance Better attendance

with full with full

spectrumspectrum

lightinglighting fluorescent lightfluorescent light

increases cortisolincreases cortisol

levelslevelscaused caused

stressstress

Lengthy computer/Lengthy computer/

video screeningvideo screening stressstress

Impact on readingImpact on reading

Visual Environment

Other Influences on LearningOther Influences on Learning– SeasonsSeasons

Length of daylightLength of daylightmelatonin and hormone levelsmelatonin and hormone levels Information is transmitted direct from the eyes which Information is transmitted direct from the eyes which

sets our time clockssets our time clocksconcentration, energy & moodsconcentration, energy & moods People close to the equator, less likely to have SADPeople close to the equator, less likely to have SAD light therapylight therapy Best time for learning = June & AugustBest time for learning = June & August

– TemperatureTemperature Heat stress dramatically lowered scores in Heat stress dramatically lowered scores in

intellectual and physical tasksintellectual and physical tasks Evolution of man (standing erect) need for change in Evolution of man (standing erect) need for change in

brain temperaturebrain temperature Individual differences are important!Individual differences are important!

HydrationHydration– Learning is affected by hydrationLearning is affected by hydration– Pts. Improve when more than 20 glasses of Pts. Improve when more than 20 glasses of

waterwater– Athletes and actors know itAthletes and actors know it– Water is better than anything with sugar or Water is better than anything with sugar or

carbonatedcarbonated

PlantsPlants– Create better learning by Create better learning by

Removing pollutants from the airRemoving pollutants from the air Increasing negative ionizationIncreasing negative ionization Charging the indoor with oxygenCharging the indoor with oxygen

Areca and lady palmsBamboo and rubber plantsDaisies, ficus, lillies, etc

AromasAromas– Influence our moods and levels of anxiety, fear, Influence our moods and levels of anxiety, fear,

hunger, depression and sexualityhunger, depression and sexuality– Some aromas inspire SS to set higher goalsSome aromas inspire SS to set higher goals– Experiments with ratsExperiments with ratsodors can be addictiveodors can be addictive– Olfactory receptorsOlfactory receptorsproduce endorphines = produce endorphines =

feelings of pleasurefeelings of pleasure Negative Ionization = cleaner airNegative Ionization = cleaner air

– Impact on learningImpact on learning– Speed recovery for asthma patientsSpeed recovery for asthma patients– Alpha rhythms Alpha rhythms – Reactions to sensory stimuli and serotonin Reactions to sensory stimuli and serotonin

levelslevelsalertness and improved sense of well-alertness and improved sense of well- beingbeing

MusicMusic– Common practice to include music in the Common practice to include music in the

curriculumcurriculum– Calms the nervous systemCalms the nervous system– Improves memory, cognition, concentration & Improves memory, cognition, concentration &

creativitycreativity– Baroque music on low levelsBaroque music on low levelsrelaxed and relaxed and

optimal learning stateoptimal learning state– Individual preferences based on experiences Individual preferences based on experiences

NoiseNoise– Obstacle for learningObstacle for learning– Video display terminalsVideo display terminalshi frequency noise that hi frequency noise that

introduces stressintroduces stress

Enriched EnvironmentEnriched Environment– Give the brain something is able to doGive the brain something is able to do– Provide repetition to get neurons firing repeatedly and Provide repetition to get neurons firing repeatedly and

enable them to become more efficient at firing for that enable them to become more efficient at firing for that informationinformation

– Give timely feedbackGive timely feedback– Adapt learning to each child (technology may be helpful Adapt learning to each child (technology may be helpful

in the differentiation process: it can track performance in the differentiation process: it can track performance and give immediate feedbackand give immediate feedback

– Consistency and intensityConsistency and intensity– Assessment:Assessment:

PredictablePredictable ChoiceChoice NoveltyNovelty ChallengeChallenge FeedbackFeedback controlcontrol