A Comparative Case Study of Classroom Environment of Foreign and Local Students at Fiji National University Nadi Campus, Fiji Islands’ by Noleen Namarta
TOPIC: ‘A Comparative case study of Classroom Environment of foreign and local students at Fiji National University Nadi Campus, Fiji Islands’ by Noleen Namarta
Literature review
The classroom environment is a major contributing factor that can either enhance or reduce student performance. Several studies by scholars have also recognised the important role played by classroom environment in learning and teaching. Hence the literature review will critically examine such important aspects of classroom environment that differentiate classrooms of foreign and local students of FNU Nadi campus. The factors which will be outlined are arranging the classroom space, the desk placement methods, the environmental preferences of students such as lighting and temperature and also some crucial factors such as overcrowding in classrooms and noise level.
Arranging the classroom space:
To begin with, the arrangement of the classroom furniture is one of the differentiating factors in classroom environments. Studies by Linda Shalaway state that the classrooms physical layout reflects a teacher and his/her learning style (Shalaway: 2011). Classroom space includes the arrangement of furniture, classroom decoration and even student placement/ seating arrangement. In Reggio Emilia a town located in the north of Italy, its educators stress on the importance of classroom environment and consider it to be ‘another teacher’ (Shalaway: 2011). While Rivlin and Rothenberg (1976) found that teachers do not seem to know how to arrange the furniture. Therefore it is important for a teacher to design his/her classroom in such a way that it is able to cater for all the students needs. One such way outlined by Sturt is that we can arouse students’ interest by having interesting wall displays and exciting objects around to make a complex environment. Although it is sad to note that classroom decoration is given the least concern especially at tertiary level and it’s
Literature review
The classroom environment is a major contributing factor that can either enhance or reduce student performance. Several studies by scholars have also recognised the important role played by classroom environment in learning and teaching. Hence the literature review will critically examine such important aspects of classroom environment that differentiate classrooms of foreign and local students of FNU Nadi campus. The factors which will be outlined are arranging the classroom space, the desk placement methods, the environmental preferences of students such as lighting and temperature and also some crucial factors such as overcrowding in classrooms and noise level.
Arranging the classroom space:
To begin with, the arrangement of the classroom furniture is one of the differentiating factors in classroom environments. Studies by Linda Shalaway state that the classrooms physical layout reflects a teacher and his/her learning style (Shalaway: 2011). Classroom space includes the arrangement of furniture, classroom decoration and even student placement/ seating arrangement. In Reggio Emilia a town located in the north of Italy, its educators stress on the importance of classroom environment and consider it to be ‘another teacher’ (Shalaway: 2011). While Rivlin and Rothenberg (1976) found that teachers do not seem to know how to arrange the furniture. Therefore it is important for a teacher to design his/her classroom in such a way that it is able to cater for all the students needs. One such way outlined by Sturt is that we can arouse students’ interest by having interesting wall displays and exciting objects around to make a complex environment. Although it is sad to note that classroom decoration is given the least concern especially at tertiary level and it’s
Bibliography: Hill, Mary & Epps, Kathryn. (2010). Academy of Educational Leadership Journal; 14. 4: ProQuest. Pg 65- 79. Retrieved on 4 March, 2012 from http://search.proquest.com.cache5.usp.ac.fj:2048/docview/763256533/fulltextPDF?accountid=28103 (2009). ‘A Handbook for classroom management that works’. Upper Saddle River, Pearson Education Singh, Rajendra. (2010). Primary Education in Fiji. Nadi: Eduman Consultancy Services, pg Slideshare. (2012). Creating a positive Environment. Retrieved 8 March, 2012. From www.slideshare.net/kstashuk/creating-a-positive-classroom-environment Shalaway, Linda. (2011). Scholastic. Retrieved 7 March, 2012 from www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/classroom-organisation-physical-environment Sturt, Gary