Deck 4: Learning Environments

Question 1

What are community schools?

Answer 1

Community schools are jointly operated through a partnership between the school system and community agencies. These schools typically emphasise community services and community learning.

Question 2

If abnormally high or low temperatures prevail, teachers should:

A) adjust instructional activities to suit.
B) remove students from the classroom.
C) seek advice from school leaders.
D) encourage students to keep busy.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Is the following statement True or False? 'It is usual for teachers in secondary schools to be able to store their materials for lessons in each classroom in which they teach.'

Answer 3

False (It is highly likely secondary school teachers will share teaching spaces with others and so will need to take the learning materials into the classroom with them each lesson.)

Question 4

Santrock (1976) found that first and second grade children were encouraged to spend longer on tasks in classrooms with:

A) happy pictures.
B) low noise level.
C) comfortable temperatures.
D) interactive seating arrangements.

Question 5

Is this statement True or False? 'As well as considering the physical classroom factors that impact on student's learning, teachers also need to consider students' perceptions of their classroom environment.'

Question 6

Research evidence indicates that relationships between the physical environment and students:

A) are clear.
B) are far from clear.
C) show direct influences on academic achievement.
D) show little influence on the affective states of students.

Question 7

In formal classroom settings, where did Brophy (1981) maintain the 'action zone' was likely to be for interaction between teacher and students?

Question 8

In classrooms organised on the basis of 'territory':

A) the teacher remains the central figure.
B) students can engage in generative learning.
C) the location of desks is a minor consideration.
D) allocation of specialist materials and activities is a primary consideration.

Question 9

In the context of teachers thinking about room arrangements, the term 'synomorphic' refers to the:

A) 'flow' of students from one activity to another.
B) transitional period between lessons.
C) congruence between the physical environment and desired student behaviours.
D) rescheduling of activities when a disruption has occurred.

Question 10

What are three questions a teacher should ask when evaluating the use of classroom space?

Question 11

Which of the following would not facilitate small group learning?

A) Clustering desks together.
B) A whiteboard.
C) Areas to spread out documents.
D) Desks in rows.

Question 12

It has been claimed that single-sex schools:

A) are the result of concerns about girls' underachievement relative to that of boys.
B) enable teachers to challenge some boys' stereotypical responses to some subjects.
C) enable boys to share their feelings and emotions without embarrassment.
D) enable students to study a curriculum that is gender based.

Question 13

The particular pattern of juxtaposing furniture and spaces within a teaching area should:

A) be kept the same throughout the school year.
B) be varied to suit the type of teaching activity.
C) be decided by the students.
D) maximise supervision by the teacher.

Question 14

Biddle and Berliner's (2002) synthesis of studies on the impact of class size found that:

A) girls benefitted more from smaller classes than boys.
B) students who have traditionally been disadvantaged did not benefit from smaller classes.
C) evidence for the possible advantages of small classes in high school is inconclusive.
D) smaller classes are most beneficial in the upper grades.

Question 15

Having an area where a small number of students can work on task cards related to a particular topic is an example of:

A) teacher-directed learning.
B) ability grouping.
C) computer-assisted learning.
D) a learning station.

Question 16

In devising the location of students' desks it is important for teachers to consider that students need to be:

A) separated so they are not distracted by others.
B) seated close to people with whom they have positive relationships.
C) away from resources and materials that might distract them.
D) as close as possible to the teacher's desk.

Question 17

According to Loi and Dillon (2006), learning environments should enable teachers to:

A) reinforce norms of order and routine.
B) control behaviour.
C) use creative and innovative practices.
D) keep students safe.

Question 18

Describe at least five features of your ideal physical classroom layout and provide a rationale for each of the features you include.

Question 19

Parents in Australia who opt for home schooling:

A) can design their own curriculum on moral and religious grounds.
B) are required to develop a curriculum based on the relevant syllabus documents.
C) are sent learning materials by the government.
D) must employ a qualified tutor.

Question 20

What are the missing words from the following quote by Winston Churchill? 'We shape our buildings and afterwards …'

A) we shape ourselves.
B) our buildings shape our learning.
C) our buildings shape us.
D) we shape our learning.

Question 21

Which of the following was not identified by Butin (2003) as a problem with service learning?

A) There is limited research evidence on the community impact of service learning.
B) Research has shown only small increases in the academic, social and personal outcomes of students involved in service learning.
C) It is very expensive and difficult to organise.
D) It is difficult to undertake rigorous and authentic assessment of service learning.

Question 22

Provide an overview of each of the following learning settings and describe any benefits or challenges for each:
-Ability grouping.
-Single-sex education.
-Service learning.