Classroom Environment Impact on Learning
Classroom Environment Impact on Learning
Denise Young (2004) emphasized that the physical aspects of a classroom, such as room arrangement and seating, should be designed with student's needs and instructional goals in mind to facilitate learning . Maxwell (2016) found a correlation between building conditions and student performance, mediated by social climate and attendance . Suleman & Hussain (2014) also supported that a well-managed and vibrant classroom positively impacts academic performance .
Walberg (1974) suggested that the psychological or social climate of a classroom significantly influences students' learning experiences . This view is supported by other researchers who argue that a conducive social climate improves student engagement and motivation, thereby positively affecting learning outcomes .
Understanding the classroom environment is crucial for effective teaching because it significantly affects student success . As Wilen et al. (2004) noted, real learning requires a supportive environment, where the classroom's physical and social aspects can inspire students and facilitate effective teaching . Moreover, aspects like size, facilities, and ventilation can impact the engaged learning process .
Moss and Trickit (1974) considered both teacher-student and student-student interactions to be essential components of a dynamic classroom environment. They viewed the classroom as a social system that greatly influences learning outcomes .
Denise Young (2004) argues that classroom seating arrangements play a critical role in educational effectiveness by influencing both individual student needs and instructional goals, thus impacting learning and social interactions within the classroom .
Fraser (1991) described the classroom learning environment as comprising the total climate, structures, and ethos within classrooms. These elements are integral in affecting students' learning outcomes . The understanding is that a well-structured environment facilitates learning by creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere conducive to educational engagement and performance.
The study hypothesizes that there is no significant difference in the teaching and learning process as perceived by teachers and students concerning class size, physical facilities, and classroom ventilation . This null hypothesis will be tested at the 0.05 level of significance .
Suleman & Hussain (2014) found that well-managed classroom environments enhance student performance. Their study highlighted that vibrant and conducive physical surroundings lead to better academic results, as evidenced by the superior performance of students in experimental groups compared to control groups .
Suleman & Hussain (2014) found that classroom physical environment, including size and facilities, significantly influences student performance, with better facilities correlating with improved outcomes . Sang (2013) identified classroom size and textbook ratios as contributors to poor performance in specific subjects like mathematics .
The ecological systems theory, particularly Bronfenbrenner's model, frames the classroom as part of larger interconnected systems influencing student development . It suggests that the classroom environment, as a microcosm, interacts dynamically with familial, social, and institutional settings, affecting learning and teaching processes by providing or limiting various external supports .