Environment - its design, location and population density - has a fundamental effect on enhancing behavior, either positively or negatively. For example, reading a book under a tree in a quiet, clean park brings a sense of peace and security. A well-maintained park gives a sense of security as it reflects on the behavior of other users as responsible. Conversely, the comfort of an aquarium setting provides a nice presence of calming relaxation for reflection and concentration. The different featuring species in the aquarium are soothing, giving a sense of peace and destructs me from other external noises.
Like most people, I cannot stand disorder and chaos, which is the feeling I get whenever I am in a cluttered or ugly setting. These settings imply the lack of environmental control, and thus a sense of vulnerability. While in these setting I look over my shoulders because of nervousness or uncertainty.
The most appropriate setting for learning is that which gives me a sense of security and elevates my engagement with my learning materials and is flexible to accommodate changes in weather, interaction, time and learning. Conversely, a setting that provides the basis for the mode of learning and acts as a motivation for achieving the full potentials of learning is an ideal setting for learning.
The inherent design of a learning setting and changes associated with the nature of our environment can pose problems that affect the process of learning. Revitalization of learning and classroom by making it reflect on the shared values of students will create a cooperative bond between the student, thus reducing problems associated with classroom marginalization. Seeking the opinions of students in the classrooms when making changes is more responsive in that it gives students to define their setting for learning.
I once planted a tree in my grandmother's patio. Having read a book under a shade, I felt that shade would give my grandmother a cool resting place if she ever needed a change from the ambience of her house.
I believe that each student has a self-responsibility not only to define what they want to learn but also from where they want to learn it from in the classroom if they do not interfere with each other's comfort. So, I allow students to choose their sitting positions. This idea was contested in equal measure as some argued that teachers have the responsibility to be in control of their classes to identify bad behavior and suppress them accordingly. However, upon deliberation, we conclude that teacher should have a responsive relationship with students by not exercising power over them, but by trying to understand why the students make the choices for those sitting positions
Savage’s article, “Arranging the Physical Environment” holistically deals with environmental planning concerning potentially enhance our behaviors (Tom V. Savage " Marsha K. Savage, 2009). He gives perspectives on how we can enhance our competence level and sense of security through environmental design, how we can promote intellectual growth through organizing our environment and how dimensions of the physical environment affect our behaviors.
References
Tom V. Savage " Marsha K. Savage. (2009). Successful classroom management and discipline: Teaching self-control and responsibility. In T. V. Savage, Arraging the Physical Environment (pp. 63-72). California: Sage.
