Developing and Maintaining an Effective Learning Environment

Developing and maintaining an effective learning environment in your lessons supports other aspects of your teaching by providing the best possible conditions to promote and support each pupil’s learning, progress and achievement and to prevent misbehaviour. This chapter is designed to help you develop and maintain an effective learning environment for effective pupil learning.
Developing and maintaining an effective learning environment which promotes positive behaviour does not happen by chance. There are a multitude of factors to consider; in this chapter these are organised around the A.R.T. of positive behaviour management. Awareness of: yourself (self-awareness) in the way you present yourself; the lesson climate; why pupils misbehave. Relationships: knowing pupils as individuals; communicating effectively; promoting positive interpersonal relationships between teacher and pupils, and between pupils; and understanding the impact of praise and rewards on behaviour and the learning environment. Thoughtful planning to use time effectively, ensuring all pupils are challenged and can achieve the intended learning, and the management of the working space. The chapter is structured using the A.R.T. model.