Creating a positive classroom environment for better outcomes

Teachers know how important creating a healthy learning environment is for student growth. It won't come as a shock to learn that positive environments boost success in the classroom, but don't just take our word for it.

The Centers for Disease Control says creating a positive learning environment enhances positive learning outcomes. Stress reduction, social skills, self-confidence, and overall academic achievement are improved for many students in the correct environment.

Fortunately, creating a healthy learning environment isn't difficult, and measuring success is even easier. Developing a strategy for student success involves some trial and error but learning what is and isn't working is simple with Proliftic's success reports. Now, let's explore different avenues for developing a positive classroom environment.

Positive reinforcement

Focusing on what students do well instead of when they're wrong helps motivate students. Recognize when a student is putting forth a lot of effort in understanding a topic even if they didn't get an answer right.

Students want to feel good and confident in themselves. Recognizing only the bad behavior may affect the way that student participates and behaves in the classroom.

Plan lessons with the students in mind

Including students in lesson planning can help them feel in control of their own learning. Research shows that students feel empowered when they get to choose their own project and way of learning. The ability to understand their own learning process early on may help them in their professional careers.

Leave behind cookie-cutter lesson plans meant for every student. Encouraging students to learn more about themselves through classwork sets them up for success.

Understand different personalities and learning styles

Classroom participation helps students build confidence in themselves and promotes classwork understanding. However, some students may feel anxious about answering a question in the front of the class even when they know it's right.

Educators should understand the difference between learning styles and personalities of their students. Pushing students to participate could help some build confidence, but it can cause others to shut down.

Provide personalized feedback

Saying "good job" and "well done" isn't good enough. Again, students like to feel good and confident in themselves. Providing unique and personalized feedback helps students understand what they did well and, in turn, what they could improve upon.

Create a physically positive classroom environment

The physical environment students learn in can affect success as well. Studies show that students learning in a positive environment are more engaged and motivated than students learning in a poor environment. Organization, color, positive messages, and more are great ways to brighten up your classroom and make it more comfortable for students.

Let students have a say too! They spend almost as much time in the classroom as you do, so they should choose what goes in it too.

Positive classroom environments play an important role in student learning and success. Implementing a strategy to achieve one is only the first step. Use a platform like Proliftic to measure that success and create a cohesive system of support for your school.

We’re here to help drive student success.

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