Question 1

What are community schools?

Accepted Answer

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.

Accepted Answer

Adjusting instructional activities to suit the temperature is the best choice for teachers. Removing students from the classroom or encouraging them to keep busy may not be practical or effective solutions, and seeking advice from school leaders may not be necessary for a common occurrence like temperature changes.

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.'

Accepted Answer

(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.

Accepted Answer

Santrock (1976) discovered that children in first and second grade were more inclined to spend extended periods on tasks in classrooms that featured happy pictures, indicating the positive influence of a visually stimulating and emotionally uplifting environment on children's engagement and persistence with tasks.

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.'

Accepted Answer

Teachers not only need to consider physical classroom factors that impact student learning but also students' perceptions of their classroom environment. Students' perceptions can significantly impact their motivation, engagement, and overall success in the classroom.

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.

Accepted Answer

Research on the relationship between the physical environment and students is inconclusive, suggesting that the relationship is far from clear. Studies have produced mixed results and more research is needed to establish clear causal relationships.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of In formal classroom settings, where did Brophy...

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.

Accepted Answer

In classrooms organised on the basis of 'territory', the teacher remains the central figure. This means that the teacher's presence and instructional methods will have a major impact on the learning that takes place in the classroom. This teaching style places less emphasis on student-centered learning, which means that the teacher will be the main source of information and guidance for students.

Answer: D
 In classrooms organized on the basis of 'territory,' allocation of specialist materials and activities is a primary consideration. This means that resources will be divided up and allocated to different areas of the classroom based on subject matter, which can help promote learning in specific areas. For example, if a teacher is teaching a science lesson, they may allocate specific materials and activities to an area of the classroom that is dedicated to science. This can help students focus on the lesson and improve their understanding of the topic.

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.

Accepted Answer

The term 'synomorphic' refers to the congruence between the physical environment and desired student behaviors. This means that the classroom setup should enable and reinforce the desired behaviors among students. Teachers must ensure that classroom arrangement supports the goals of the lesson and the students' learning. A synomorphic room arrangement is practical because it links together the learning targets, students' activities and behaviours, and physical space. This connection between physical space and desired behaviours makes it easier for students to feel comfortable and to understand the expectations for learning.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are three questions a teacher should...

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.

Accepted Answer

Desks in rows do not facilitate small group learning, as they promote a more traditional classroom setup where students are less likely to interact and collaborate with one another.

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.

Accepted Answer

The answer of It has been claimed that single-sex schools:
A)...

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.

Accepted Answer

The pattern of juxtaposing furniture and spaces within a teaching area should be varied to suit the type of teaching activity. This will allow for different teaching strategies and activities to be accommodated, creating a flexible learning environment.

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.

Accepted Answer

Biddle and Berliner's (2002) synthesis found that while there is evidence supporting the benefits of small classes in the early grades, evidence for the benefits in high school is inconclusive. Therefore, choice C is the best answer. The other options are not supported by the findings of their study.

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.

Accepted Answer

A learning station is a designated area in the classroom where students can work independently or in small groups on specific tasks or activities related to a particular topic. This allows for differentiated instruction and provides opportunities for students to work at their own pace and level.

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.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that students learn better when they have positive relationships with their peers. Seating them near people they have positive relationships with can help build a sense of classroom community and foster collaboration. While it is important to minimize distractions, students can still learn to manage distractions and they may need access to resources and materials for learning. Being too close to the teacher's desk may not foster independence and could make it more difficult for the teacher to monitor the whole classroom.

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.

Accepted Answer

Loi and Dillon (2006) argue that learning environments should enable teachers to use creative and innovative practices, which implies that the focus should be on promoting student-centered learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving. While norms of order and routine, behavior control, and safety are also important aspects of effective learning environments, they should not overshadow the more primary goal of supporting student learning and development.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe at least five features of your...

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.

Accepted Answer

In Australia, parents who opt for home schooling are required to develop a curriculum based on the relevant syllabus documents. While they have some flexibility in how they approach their child's education, they must cover the relevant subject areas and attain the same learning outcomes as students in traditional schools. It is not mandatory to employ a qualified tutor, and the government does not typically send learning materials to families. While some parents may choose to incorporate religious or moral teachings into their curriculum, this is not the primary focus of home schooling in Australia.

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.

Accepted Answer

This is the correct and complete quote by Winston Churchill: "We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us." It means that the buildings we create affect us in return, shaping how we think and behave.

Quiz 4: Learning Environments

What are community schools?

If abnormally high or low temperatures prevail, teachers should:

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.'

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

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.'

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

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

In classrooms organised on the basis of 'territory':

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

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

Which of the following would not facilitate small group learning?

It has been claimed that single-sex schools:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parents in Australia who opt for home schooling:

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