Today, faculty educates diverse groups of students and creates a positive learning environment in order for students to be successful. A positive learning environment encourages cooperation and collaboration. “Successful school environment reflects clear expectations, high rates of student engagement, and academic success (Hester, Gable, & Manning, 2003, p. 135). In order for educators to promote a positive learning environment it is important to establish a learning culture where faculty and staff have a way of learning new topics, collaborating on curriculum, and helping to diagnose and solve problems.
The main objective of creating a learning culture is to allow faculty and staff to work with one another, share ideas, and knowledge and create an environment that promotes student learning, as well as “a commitment to high expectations, and social support for innovation, dialogue, and the search for new ideas”(Deal & Peterson, 2009, p. 10). University leaders are encouraged to consider how individuals learn by distinguishing an individuals’ level of knowledge. “People at different stages need to be exposed to qualitatively different types of information and experience” (Bennett, 1986, p. 189). Learning should take place in a group environment where faculty and staff share ideas and create relationships. This process of learning occurs via a dialogue.
How does your institution create a culture of learning?
References
Bennett, M. (1986). A developmental approach to training for intercultural sensitivity. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 10, 179-196.
Deal, T. E., & Peterson, K. D. (2009). Shaping school culture: Pitfalls, paradoxes, & promises (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Hester,. P., Gable, R. A., & Manning, M. L. (2003). A positive learning environment approach to middle school instruction. Childhood Education, 79, 130-136. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/docview/210388864?accountid=27965
