19/10/2004 David Keffer UOIT Student #100257682 Teaching Environment CURS4160 Curriculum Studies - Maths David Keffer UOIT Student #100257682 19 th October,

19/10/2004David Keffer

UOIT Student #100257682

Teaching EnvironmentCURS4160Curriculum Studies - MathsDavid KefferUOIT Student #10025768219th October, 2004



Teaching Environment

• This project will examine a specific Grade 8 classroom and school environment according to • physical environment considerations

• resource availability considerations

• other considerations which might be pertinent



Physical Environment



Physical Environment• Classroom size

• classroom is large enough to accommodate class comfortably, and allow for different desk layouts

• desks are sufficient for number of students (currently twenty-nine)

• more desks are available if class size increases• Classroom layout

• classroom was originally laid out as indicated in the following slide

• teacher reconfigures class layout as required



Classroom Layout



Classroom Layout



Physical Environment• Proximity of students

• students currently too close to each other, and some talkative groups have formed

• teacher has reconfigured desk layout once, and will do so again shortly

• Physical space - board space• more space would be useful, but is not essential

• Physical space - wall space for work• back wall is available for student honour work• other wall space is available for other class work



Physical Environment• Lighting, windows

• classroom is well lit – there are two large windows alone one wall

• Sound (internal and external)• normal sound levels are comfortable, except

during corridor movement (noise level increases during group-work, as expected)

• Ventilation, fans, air conditioning• no A/C, but two fans, and one window opens• ventilation is good with window open and fans on



Physical Environment• Temperature

• comfortable when regulated by fans and window• Entry/exit procedures

• class enters/exits through shared stairwell and door near classroom (also fire exit)

• entry and exit normally orderly, supervised by teachers

• Cafeteria or lunch room• no cafeteria / lunch room – students eat in

classroom or schoolyard



Physical Environment• Waste disposal and recycling

• each classroom has waste bin and blue box (mixed)

• Security, cameras, metal detectors• hall and yard security provided by teachers• no cameras or metal detectors currently in school

• Location of school• school is located in a growing subdivision, NE of

Taunton and Wilson Roads in Oshawa• there is residential housing S and W of school, and

agricultural N and E of school



Availability of Resources



Availability of Resources• Computers and Internet access

• classroom has four networked computers and a laser printer, with internet access for all computers

• equipment is for use by other students as needed• additional computers and printers are available in

the library and in some other classrooms• Overhead projectors and other multimedia

• several OH projectors and a data projector are available within school, requested as needed

• more overhead projectors are currently on order



Availability of Resources• PA/intercom/phone

• each classroom is equipped with an intercom system for communication with office

• Science and laboratory equipment• science classrooms have equipment as required

for teaching science curriculum expectations• Textbooks, handouts

• some texts are kept on shelves in classroom, others are kept in adjacent storage room

• handouts are produced by teacher as required



Availability of Resources

Consumable supplies• students provide paper, binders, pens, markers,

geometry instruments, and daily planner (purchased from the school)

• the school provides most other consumables, including construction and drawing paper, coloured pencils for the lower grades, and (ostensibly) all teachers’ supplies

• students are encouraged to bring in contributions from home, such as tissues, paper towels and soap – students are rewarded for this



Additional Considerations



Additional Considerations• Individual Education Plans (IEPs)

• six students in the class have IEPs, and require accommodations on assignments and assessments

• Behavioural problems• several other students have behavioural problems,

which must be dealt with on daily basis• Family and other social difficulties

• several students have family difficulties, which affect their performance

• students experience typical social difficulties according to their level of maturity and development



Additional Considerations

• Timetabling, order of subjects• this is apparently not an issue in this school

• Rotation of subjects• only Science and Geography rotated between

two Grade 8 classes, one teacher for each• leaves students in same classroom for most of

week, in more familiar environment with teacher they know better

• Policies (eg. visit locker, dress code, etc.)• affect all students equally – not significant issue



Additional Considerations• Administrative duties load

• some administrative duties difficult for teachers, taking away from prep time

• time also taken with assemblies, masses, etc.• Support of school administration

• school seems to be close community (Catholic), with strong administrative support

• principal new to school this year, so not yet clear• Extracurricular activities – compulsory?

• these are on a voluntary basis only



Conclusion



Conclusion• classroom and school environment are of

considerable significance to teaching• variable factors in either can augment or

degrade quality of the teaching and learning experience

• teachers must consider these factors carefully as they plan their teaching strategies and practice

• many environmental factors are variable, and can be modified if the teacher is aware

Documents

19/10/2004 David Keffer UOIT Student #100257682 Teaching Environment CURS4160 Curriculum Studies - Maths David Keffer UOIT Student #100257682 19 th October,