Creating Significant Learning Environments

We often think of learning environments to be the room we teach in. However, they have more value when considered as intentional interactions between the student, teacher, and learning process. Ultimately, teachers have the responsibility to create learning environments that harbor the growth and development of the student, which allows them to succeed. When students have the “end in mind” and understand the learning objectives, they have ways to tangibly understand their personal growth and achieve mastery.

How to Create Significant Learning Environments (CSLE):

1. Learning Philosophy: Understanding the way YOU learn and developing a learning philosophy can help guide how you may design a significant learning environment. Read the following to understand my learning philosophy:

2. Use the COVA Method: As modeled throughout the Digital Leading and Learning Program at Lamar University, the COVA approach offers choice, ownership, and voice, through authentic experiences in the learning environment (Cummings, Harapnuik, & Thibodeaux, 2017, p. 6). Read more about this approach here:

3. Design with the End in Mind: By aligning outcomes, assessment, and activities, and backward planning with Understanding by Design (UbD), creating significant learning environments can position all students to succeed and grow. Read the following posts to see examples of Fink’s 3 Column Table and UbD techniques:

Building significant learning environments is not the only important thing to happen in effective learning environments, the growth mindset is another powerful tool at educators’ disposal. Further resources and posts on creating significant learning environments and growth mindset can be viewed here:

Resources