What is a Learning Environment?

Learning Environments Revealed.... 

A learning environment is a place that stimulates the mind so that people can gain knowledge and skills in order to progress in life. It is also a place to encourage socialisation and communication with others. A learning environment is subjective and refers to diverse locations, contexts and cultures in which people learn.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO; 2014), learning can occur in manifold settings with the learning environment being either structured or unstructured; these various methods can complement each learner in their own individual ways. Structural or organized environments are establishments such as schools, community centres, and multimedia centres. These establishments use formal and non-formal education; formal methods are explicitly designed for learning in terms of objectives, time or resources; it is a method that is intentional from the learner’s perspective therefore leads to justification and certification (UNESCO, 2014; Harvey, 2004-2014). Non-formal however refers to learning, which is designed to embed important educational elements into various activities. 

Conversely, according to Harvey (2014) informal education takes place in both structured and unstructured settings, for example learning from the environment such as daily activities relating to work, family or leisure. Informal education is not an organized or structured method in terms of educational aims and therefore is mostly unintentional from the learner’s standpoint.

The term ‘learning environment' has been defined by The Partnership for 21^st Century Skills (no date) as a ‘place and space’ or physical location, such as schools, classrooms, libraries etc., all of which the majority of learning in the 21^st century takes place. Nevertheless, in today’s globally interconnected and technology-driven domain, a learning environment can be so much more than a physical place; virtual, online, remote are all terms or better still support structures which portray the conditions in which us as individuals practice in unique ways (The Partnership for 21st Century Skills, no date) in order to suit our own individual learning styles.

These tools and structures allow educators of all ages to broaden their breath and depth of knowledge; whilst inspiring us to comprehend the vast skills and experience that is required of us in today’s society.

As a consequence of the increase in change to the 21^st century learning environments, it is crucial that the focus is shifted from ‘education’ to ‘life-long learning’ according to Brown (2005). Students today will no longer have a permanent, solitary career; instead they are most likely to shadow a working trajectory that comprehends multiple careers. As they move from career to career, much of what they require to learn will not be as a result of traditional school environments, therefore will require versatility in the many methods of learning currently available (Brown, 2005). 

Reference List 

Brown, J., S. (2005) Retrieved 14th October 2014 from New Learning Environments for the 21st Century. http://www.johnseelybrown.com/newlearning.pdf

Harvey, L (2004-2014) Retrieved 14th October 2014 from Analytic Quality Glossary. http://www.qualityresearchinternational.com/glossary/formallearning.htm

Partnership for 21st Century Skills (no date) 21st Century Learning Skills Retrieved 14th October 2014 from http://www.p21.org/storage/documents/le_white_paper-1.pdf

United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (2014) Education Retrieved 14th October 2014 from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/quality-framework/core-resources/learning-environment/