Chapter II

The Learning Environment

32 FIELD SUDY 1: A GUIDE FOR 21ST CENTURY STUDENT TEACHER

LESSON 1 Learner Safety and Security
For teachers to be effective and for students to learn well, a safe and secure learning environment
should be established. The objectives of this lesson are the following:
1. identify safety and security policies and practices in a learning environment;
2. observe how safety and security policies are practiced in a learning environment; and
3. reflects on how safety and security practices impact teaching and learning.

Education Theory

Learning environment refers to any context in which learning is supposed to take place. It may
refer to a physical space like a classroom, laboratory, or any room. It may also refer to a non-formal
learning environment such as distance learning and online or virtual learning where the teaching-learning
process occurs (Bernard 2012). In other words, learning environment is more than just physical
components. It refers to any space where the needs of learners are addressed, interactions occur, and
relationships are established in order for learning to effectively take place.
Environment plays a vital role in learning (Hannah 2013). For learning to take place, it is important
that certain needs are met. Students will have a difficult time focusing on their studies if their minds are
preoccupied with matters other than the lesson being taught. Psychologist Abraham Maslow formulated a
hierarchy of needs. It states that each level should be fulfilled in order to progress to the next stage. Two of
the basic needs identified by Maslow are security and safety. Students should be in an environment where
they are free to move, talk, and interact with others without compromising their physical, psychological, and
emotional health. This can be done by making sure that routines are established, rules are clearly defined,
and policies are explicitly explained. Knowing what to expect provides students an opportunity to manage
behavior as they deem fit in a predictable learning! environment (Burleson and Thoron 2014).

Observation

Check (/) the box that corresponds to the learning environment of the class you have observed.

The learning environment Yes No Remarks

The classroom is clean and feel

comfortable.
1. is clean and orderly 

Due to its calm setting, the classroom

includes policies and guidelines to
2. has policies that
ensure the safety of the teachers and
ensure the safety and
 children.
security of students
The classroom has enough space for
reading and playing activities.
3. has space where 

33 FIELD SUDY 1: A GUIDE FOR 21ST CENTURY STUDENT TEACHER

 students can play

The teacher presents student

creations as a means of encouraging
4. displays work of 
them through appreciation.
students

The classroom atmosphere is very

comfy as we feel like a home because
5. allows students to
of the freedom of each and every one.
freely express their

thoughts and ideas

The teacher is understandable to

allow her students to freely speak and
6. gives students to freely
give their opinion.
express their thoughts

and ideas

The teacher is a good one since she

treats the children with respect while
7. has teachers who are
speaking in a normal tone of voice.
calm and respectful


The teacher develops the critical

thinking skills as she encourages
8. encourages students
them to cooperate.
to explore and learn on

their own

The teacher allows the students to

correct their mistakes and learn from
9. gives students 
it.
opportunities to correct
mistakes

There isn’t any conflict in the

classroom because disagreements
10. encourages students 
are settled peacefully.
to resolve conflicts
peacefully

Processing

Read carefully and answer the following questions based on what you have observed in class.

34 FIELD SUDY 1: A GUIDE FOR 21ST CENTURY STUDENT TEACHER

 1. What features of the learning environment have significantly contributed to the student’s
learning?

Flexibility, openness, access to resources. These characteristics give students

choice on how and they learn.

2. In your opinion, how can the school’s learning environment be improved?

Establish a supportive learning culture. Each member of the learning community

should have the feeling of connectedness.
3. How does Maslow’s theory explain the importance of security and safety in ensuring that
learning will take place?

The students must feel safe in the classroom and the learning environment before
progressing to the next step in Maslow’s hierarchy.

Reflection

Complete the following:

1. I realized that with the influence of Maslow’s theory I will be able to divide my goal or tasks
step by step and can plan better framework to complete.

2. I believe that I am able to evaluate where I am at in the process and am not easily intimidated.

3. I feel that I provide healthy environment to subordinates as well as to my colleagues.

4. When I become a teacher, I will help to fulfil the needs of my learners and provide the
knowledge that is the key needs and lead them to the better environment.

35 FIELD SUDY 1: A GUIDE FOR 21ST CENTURY STUDENT TEACHER

LESSON 2 Fair Learning Environment
This lesson emphasizes the importance of having a fair learning environment. The objectives of
this lesson are the following:
1. explain the concept of a fair learning environment;
2. discuss how inclusive pedagogy promotes a fair learning environment; and
3. reflects on how a fair learning environment contributes to the students’ academic performance.

Education Theory

The goal of any teacher is to provide the students with a safe learning environment. To make
students feel safe, they should be allowed to be themselves, make mistakes, and be in an environment that
is fair. A fair learning environment does not espouse teaching that uses the same mode of delivery for all
lessons or topics. It also does not impose the same expectations for all students. Furthermore, it does not
provide students the same academic experiences all the time. On the contrary, a fair learning environment
provides students with lessons, strategies, and challenges that will address their individual needs.
Inequalities in the classroom often occur when the teacher gives utmost importance to academic
achievements, thereby alienating other students who are not as gifted academically, A fair learning
environment uses an inclusive pedagogy where students are provided with varied experiences, activities,
and opportunities (Spratt and Florian 2013). Inclusive pedagogy as espoused by Hart et al. (2004)
promotes a fair learning environment because it gives the students a chance to learn from a range of
opportunities and experiences provided by the teacher.
In other words, the teacher should adopt various teaching techniques to suit the different learning
capabilities of the students.

Observation

Check (/) the box that corresponds to the learning environment of the class you have observed.

The learning environment Yes No

Students are allowed to engage in a variety of experiences

to learn a new concept or skills.



Students are encouraged to express themselves.

36 FIELD SUDY 1: A GUIDE FOR 21ST CENTURY STUDENT TEACHER

 
Teacher utilizes various ways of determining how students
learn.


Teacher extends the lesson so that all students benefit
from it.

Teacher provides students opportunities to make mistakes. 

Teacher provides a wide range of options from which 

students can choose from in order to engage in an activity.

Teacher knows the students well. 

1. What can you say about the learning environment?

An important responsible of the teacher is to develop a learning environment where

students feel motivated to learn within the boundaries and expectations of a safe classroom.

2. How can the teacher further promote a fair learning environment?

To keep students engaged and invested in their own learning objectives, teachers must be
fair and place a strong emphasis on intrinsic motivation in the classroom.
Processing

Read carefully and answer the following questions based on what you have observed in class.
1. What could have contributed to the presence or absence of a fair learning environment?
Having an unfair learning environment can disappoint the students in their learning
because they can be bored and not can down confidents and they will not lean properly.
2. How does a fair learning environment affect the way children learn?
They can openly express their thoughts and explore their inner potential in order to grow in
respect for and feeling of community. Students feel comfortable and have the chance to
engage in a variety of learning experiences in a fair learning environment.

37 FIELD SUDY 1: A GUIDE FOR 21ST CENTURY STUDENT TEACHER

Reflection

Complete the following:

1. I realized that teacher must be fair students because it can affect the learning of the students.

2. I believe that making equal treatment to the students can develop their confident and can
produce a creative output.

3. I feel that learners need an equal treatment to motivate them in learnings.

4. When I become a teacher, I will treat my students fairly, giving them the knowledge they need,
and guiding them to a better environment, I can satisfy their needs.

38 FIELD SUDY 1: A GUIDE FOR 21ST CENTURY STUDENT TEACHER

LESSON 3 Management of the Classroom Structure and Activities
To promote an effective learning environment, teachers should be able to manage the physical
structure of the classroom and activities well. This lesson explores classroom management as a key to
effective teaching. The objects of this lesson are the following:
1. observe how teachers manage classroom structure and activities;
2. determine how the classroom structure and activities affect the students’ participation; and
3. learn how to effectively manage classroom structure and analysis.

Education Theory

According to Robert Sommer (1977), the classroom layout depends on the teacher's philosophy,
objectives, activities, and priorities.
Teachers who believe that children learn best by listening usually arrange desks and chairs in rows
and columns. On the other hand, teachers who believe that students should collaborate and communicate
arrange desks and tables in clusters.
Aside from the teacher's philosophy, learning activities also affect how the physical space is set up.
If the activity requires students to work together, then there should be areas where they can work as a
group. However, if students need to do their work individually, then the chairs and tables should be
arranged in rows and columns (Fernandes et al. 2011).
Priorities and objectives also dictate how a class is structured. Gremmen, et al. (2016) identify
academic and classroom management as top considerations when determining the appropriate class
layout.
Teachers most often arrange the physical structure to address the best way students can learn.
Thus, the best way for teachers to determine the ideal classroom setup is to look into the activities that the
students are engaged in.
Finally, the classroom setup should also account for behavior management. Students who need
special attention should be strategically placed in front so that they can be attended to immediately (Earp
2017).
Observation

A. In the box below, draw the room layout of the class you have observed.

39 FIELD SUDY 1: A GUIDE FOR 21ST CENTURY STUDENT TEACHER

 B. Interview the cooperating teacher. Ask the following questions:

1. What can you say about the physical structure of your classroom?
The classroom in the box it is mostly known, since the chairs and tables are individuals
and then the table of the teacher can be seen in the front right beside of the blackboard,
their storage where the books are in the back.

2. What were the things that you considered when you arranged the classroom?
As I observed in the draw, the teacher arrangement to her classroom have a bigger space
for activities at the back.
3. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of this kind of physical setup?
Teacher may quickly capture her student’s attention with this kind of physical setup, and
the students can see the entire presentation as well as the materials. The disadvantage of
this kind of physical arrangement is that other learners occasionally find it uncomfortable to
sit in a side since they can see what’s outside.
Processing

Based on what you have observed in class and the teacher’s response on the interview, answer
the following questions:
1. Do you think that the classroom structure is consistent with the teacher’s objectives? Why?
Why not?
Yes, the classroom structure is organize in a line as it is the goal of the teacher so that the
student feel comfortable and also make the students feel at home. The teacher created
that classroom setup because she wanted to have a bigger space for activities.
2. How does the classroom setup affect the students’ performance and learning?
The design of the classroom has the potential to positively or negatively affect student’s
motivation and general well-being.
3. If you were the teacher, what kind of classroom structure would you adopt to maximize the
students’ learning?
If I were the teacher, I will use the same structure just like in the video because I want
enough space for their activities. I will make the classroom as a positive place where
students feel comfortable and at home.

40 FIELD SUDY 1: A GUIDE FOR 21ST CENTURY STUDENT TEACHER

Reflection

Complete the following:

1. I realized that classroom set up is important in learning environment because it is essential
place of classroom management to support both teaching and learning.

2. I believe that classroom design can facilitate the learning experience of the students with their
special need.

3. I feel that learners can concentrate in a nice environment.

4. When I become a teacher, I will help to satisfy the need of my learners by making my
classroom comfortable that my student forget their home so that I can teach freely.

LESSON 4 Support for Learner Participation

Encouraging students to partake in class discussions and class activities is one of the challenges
encountered by teachers. This lesson shares strategies for increasing student participation in class. The
objects of this lesson are the following:
1. observe strategies implemented by teachers to encourage students to participate in class; and
2. discover how the learning environment is class can increase student participation.

Education Theory

There are various ways to improve student participation in class discussions and activities.
First, the teacher needs the students to understand that participation is a collective undertaking of
the class and that their contribution can help in the learning process (Hollander 2002). If the students are
given the opportunity to share what they know and show what they can do, and if they are recognized for
their efforts, they will realize that their contributions matter.
Likewise, teachers should also make sure that the learning environment is conducive to
participation. The physical setup should make it easy for students to communicate with the teacher and
their classmates. Various ways of arranging the classroom layout should be explored to make sure that the
students are facing not only the teacher but also their classmates. The teacher should also make it a point
to move around the room. This will not only give the students more opportunities to interact with the
teacher, but it will also encourage students to interact with one another. The tendency of students when the
teacher is in front of the room is to direct their questions and answers to the teacher. It is important that the
teacher gives the students the opportunity to ask or even converse with each other (Hollander 2002).
Lastly, the teacher should explore various teaching strategies to ensure that all the students can
participate actively. The teacher should make sure that the students can answer or discuss the lesson after
a concept is introduced. By anticipating this, the students are more likely to be attentive. The teacher can
also engage the students in other non-threatening activities involving small groups, pairs, or triads. These
will allow students who are not confident talking in front of the whole class to participate (Hollander 2002).

Observation

Check (/) the box that corresponds to the learning environment of the class you have observed.

41 FIELD SUDY 1: A GUIDE FOR 21ST CENTURY STUDENT TEACHER

 The learning environment Yes No

1. The teacher tells the students of his or her 

expectations after every activity.


2. The teacher recognizes the effort made by the
students who participate.

3. The classroom is arranged in a way that the

students can see and communicate with each

other.


4. The teacher moves around the room as he or she
discusses the lesson.


5. The teacher makes use of various teaching
strategies to elicit the students’ participation.

6. The students are given the opportunity to discuss

their thoughts, ideas, and opinions with the whole

class or some classmates.

Processing

Read carefully and answer the following questions based on what you have observed in class.
1. How does the teacher encourage the students to participate actively in class?
The teacher encourages the students to participate actively in class by calling them and
sharing their ideas so that they will having fun activity and can students to participate.
2. What do you think is the best classroom setup to encourage the students to engage in the
activity?
The classroom setup should be conductive for participation which means that they should
have a bigger space where students can present and perform their activities.
3. What strategies should the teacher use to make the students participate in class?

42 FIELD SUDY 1: A GUIDE FOR 21ST CENTURY STUDENT TEACHER

 Collaboration in activities will help pupils learn about connection. Teacher’s must exercise
creativity in designing activities to make learning entertaining an d engaging for kids.
Reflection

Complete the following:

1. I realized that encouraging students give them a visual reminder that they have the power to
learn and succeed.

2. I believe that students that are driven do better in all facets of their academic work and become
more goal-oriented and, most importantly, motivated people in general.

3. I feel that as a teacher we should create a significant role in attracting the attention of the
students and adopt different ways of teaching like through game so that even the slow learners
can participate too.

4. When I become a teacher, I will encourage my students by establishing a relationship,

receiving acceptance and affirmation, and being more enthused about knowing that their work
will be respected and recognized.

LESSON 5 Promotion of Purposive Learning

It is the responsibility of every teacher to make sure that the students learn. To do this, the teacher
should know the type of learning to use to help students. The objects of this lesson are the following:
1. discover the students’ method of learning; and
2. determine ways of promoting purposive learning.

Education Theory

Edward Chance Tollman made significant contributions in the field of cognitive psychology. He
conducted various studies on learning and motivation. His revolutionary views differ from other behaviorists
in the sense that he believes that there are internal factors such as cognitive maps and physiological drives
that prompt behavior (Hergenhahn 2009).
Unlike other behaviorists, Tollmau did not believe in introspection and rejected anything that cannot
be observed. He researched on purposive or goal-directed behavior in animals and humans. Although most
of his studies involved rats, he was able to find out that humans, like animals, are constantly learning with
or without motivation or reinforcement. Tollman and colleagues studied the behavior of white rats in a
maze. The first group of rats was permitted to move around the maze without reinforcement. The second
group of rats was rewarded once they were able to find their way through the maze. The third group of rats
was only rewarded after the tenth day of experiment. Comparing the three groups of rats, the second group
of rats had fewer mistakes as the researchers predicted. However, the third group of rats also manifested
fewer mistakes when given a reward. This only suggests that from the onset, the third group of rats had
been forming mental maps of the environment. It was only when they were rewarded that they manifested
their learnings. Tollman calls this "latent learning" because learning is only manifested when the right
conditions are given. Propelling students' behavior to learn becomes purposive in an ideal learning
environment. When the rats exhibited fewer mistakes when given rewards, learning became purposive
(Pickren and Rutherford 2010).

43 FIELD SUDY 1: A GUIDE FOR 21ST CENTURY STUDENT TEACHER

 Teachers should always remember that learning is purposive and that students are constantly
learning. When they observe, they learn. As students observe, they form mental representations of
expectations, processes, and consequences of their actions. As such, to promote learning, teachers should
provide students with opportunities to observe a behavior or a task. Thus, the learning environment should
provide avenues for students to observe. This kind of informal learning allows students to form cognitive
maps that enable them to make a mental representation of a specific situation, discover the behavior that is
appropriate for that situation, and perform the expected outcomes.

Observation

Determine if the environment supports purposive learning by checking (/) the box that corresponds
to what you have observed in class.

Yes No

1. The learning environment promotes respect by

giving the students opportunities to listen to each
other.



2. The students are provided with avenues to
observe and practice a skill.

3. All experiences are considered learning
experiences.


4. The students are given opportunities to collaborate
with each other,

5. The teacher uses other strategies aside from 

lecture to help the students understand the lesson.

Processing

Read carefully and answer the following questions based on what you have observed in class.
1. Does the teacher support purposive learning? If yes, how? If no, how can the teacher support
purposive learning?

44 FIELD SUDY 1: A GUIDE FOR 21ST CENTURY STUDENT TEACHER

 For me yes, the teacher support purposive learning because she help her students
uncover knowledge, encourage them with collaboration and assess the students in their
learning process.
2. How else can purposive learning be promoted in the classroom?
To promote purposive learning in the classroom teacher must ensure that students are
being taught at the optimal instructional level because challenging them provide enough
success to keep these students confidents and invested learning.
Reflection

Complete the following:

1. I realized that engaging learners fosters deeper learning for higher-level abilities like critical
thinking and helps students stay focused.

2. I believe that collaborative learning has been shown to not only develop higher-level thinking
skills in students but boost their confidence and self-esteem as well.

3. I feel that as a teacher we should create a significant role in attracting the attention of the
students and adopt different ways of teaching so that our teaching strategy can be effective
and productive.

4. When I become a teacher, I will motivate an unmotivated student to become absorbed in their
studies so that even the most reserved kids can come out of their shells and participate.
LESSON 6 Management of Learner Behavior
Managing the learner's behavior properly is an immense challenge to teachers. The learner's
behavior, unless assessed with exceptionalities or with special education needs, is basically influenced by
the reaction to external stimuli, such as learning environment, classroom activities, teacher's behavior, and
even the behavior of other learners. At times, the behavior of students may be unpredictable, making a
situation difficult for teachers to manage. In some instances, teachers use different pedagogical techniques
to manage learner behavior.
This lesson will help you understand how teachers manage learner behavior and how the physical
and socio-emotional environments of the classroom could be maximized to support or sustain the interest
of students in learning and to manage their behavior. More specifically, this lesson will guide you to:
1. observe how teachers manage learner behavior;
2. discuss different variables that influence learner behavior in the class; and
3. identify techniques used by the teacher in managing learner behavior.

Education Theory

The teacher uses a variety of skills and strategies to make their students become interested and
engaged in the learning process. By managing the class, the teacher is able to fulfill his or her role better.
Thus, classroom management is essential in ensuring an effective learning environment (Lynch 2016). The
teachers need to provide a venue where the students' potentials will be maximized to the fullest. As a
manager, the teacher plays a significant role in providing a learning environment that would satisfy and
meet the needs and interests of the students. William Glasser (1999) proposes that behavior is propelled
by an inherent need to satisfy five basic needs: the need to love and belong, the need to survive, the need
to feel empowered, to need to be free, and the need to be happy. Glasser's Choice Theory suggests that

45 FIELD SUDY 1: A GUIDE FOR 21ST CENTURY STUDENT TEACHER

students behave according to how their needs will be fulfilled and satisfied. Thus, it is essential that the
teacher establishes a relationship with the students to be able to address their individual needs. It is only by
being able to establish a positive relationship with the students that the teacher can motivate them to stay
focused and engaged. The teacher who believes in this theory provides the students with activities that will
enable them to take charge of their own learning and apply what they have learned until mastery is
achieved.
B.F. Skinner (1982) suggests that the teacher manage the students' behavior through rewards and
punishment. According to Skinner, the teacher reinforces good behavior by giving external rewards like
praises, prizes, or good grades. On the other hand, if students are deprived of rewards that they find
appealing, their behavior is likewise regulated. The teacher who follows this theory always makes sure that
good behavior is acknowledged in order for that behavior to be repeated.
In contrast, Alfie Kohn (2006) believes that students' behavior can be managed well if they are
given the opportunity to satisfy their curiosity. In this theory, Kohn suggests that students be given the
freedom to pursue concepts that interest them instead of imposing predetermined lessons on them. When
students are engaged in learning the concepts of their choice, they become more involved in their own
learning. Teachers, according to Kohn, need not use grades or external rewards to motivate students.
Students learn because they see the relevance of what they are learning in their own lives.

Observation

Preliminary Activity
Observe the teacher. Check the item that best describes the learning environment.

Yes No Remarks

 Yes, because in lesson pan

teacher must put possible
1. Does the teacher expect the
answer from students.
students to respond according
to how the lesson was taught?

 Teacher must appreciate the

answer of every students.
2. Does the teacher provide the
students with opportunities to
engage in activities of their
choice?

Yes, teacher provide feedback

by praising through clapping.
3. Does the teacher provide

46 FIELD SUDY 1: A GUIDE FOR 21ST CENTURY STUDENT TEACHER

 immediate feedback like 
praises or grades?

The instructor has a distinctive

classroom design. She kept her
4. Is the classroom environment
classroom well-organized.
arranged so that the students

can easily collaborate?

Yes, because due to the

teacher’s fair approach, the
5. Is the classroom environment
classroom environment remains
arranged so that the students
 peaceful.
can freely explore their
interests?

The teacher gave opportunities

for the students by allowing them
6. Does the teacher provide the 
to share their knowledge to the
students with opportunities to
class.
succeed?
 I didn’t see any correction
coming from the teacher.
7. Does the teacher immediately
correct the mistakes made by
the students?

 No, the teacher must guide the

student’s mistakes.
8. Does the teacher guide the
students to discover their own
mistakes?

 The students did not commit any

mistakes and so the teacher was
9. Does the teacher allow the
not able to correct errors.
students to commit mistakes
until they are able to correct
these errors on their own?

Yes, due to the teacher fair

treatment of the students, the
10. Is the student-teacher 
relationship between the two
relationship cordial?
parties is fair.

The students can express their

ideas because teacher will
11. Can students freely express

47 FIELD SUDY 1: A GUIDE FOR 21ST CENTURY STUDENT TEACHER

 their thoughts and ideas in  approve it.
class?

The teacher is a thinker who is

willing to try new things. She
12. Does the teacher listen to the 
accept the opinions of others.
students’ ideas?

Processing

Read carefully and answer the following questions.

1. What kind of classroom management does the teacher practice? Why?
Her ability to keep order in the classroom is amazing, and other teachers should model
their behavior management strategies after hers in order to give pupils the confidence to
attend class and study. The teacher has the authority to run and organize her classroom.

2. Do you think that the management style that the teacher is using in class contributes to the
students’ learning? Why? Why not?
Yes, the management style of the teacher contributes to the student’s learning because it
directly effects the student’s ability to learn and our ability as a teacher to teach.
Reflection

Complete the following:

1. I realized that classroom management is the best method and best practices that teachers use
to maximize students learning and engagement.

2. I believe that to manage a classroom effectively, we must refrain from penalizing the pupils and
instead teach them the right thing to do and motivate them to be good people.

3. I feel that the authoritative approach is the best form of classroom management style because
it is the one most closely associated with appropriate student’s behavior.

4. When I become a teacher, I will enhance my skills in communication, listening, collaboration,

adaptability and always be patience so that my students can learn with the best version that
can make their life productive.

48 FIELD SUDY 1: A GUIDE FOR 21ST CENTURY STUDENT TEACHER

49 FIELD SUDY 1: A GUIDE FOR 21ST CENTURY STUDENT TEACHER