CREATING A CONDUCIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

PHILLIP ARMAND G. LAJOM

The Department of Education (DepEd) has been in its quest in delivering quality education that is globally competitive through technology and information-driven education. Numerous studies and researches have been conducted and made in search for the best practices to attain high levels of literacy and numeracy, however, the country still lag behind based on most recent surveys. The education sector is on a race to find innovative teaching and learning processes in order to cope up and embark on a fastchanging world.

The managing of learning environment in this world of modernization is indeed a challenge aside from the fact that it is crucial to be at pace with the challenges brought about by modern technology. As a result of all these seemingly unstoppable technological advancements the classroom environment is now visibly changed with the technologies of open learning systems. Computers, televisions, projectors, video tapes, audio tapes, fax, print, etc. are the modern gadgets that we are now seeing as part of the classroom setting to facilitate learning.

Consequently, learning environment should not be purely focused on the things related to physical facilities of the school together with the presence of modern instructional devices but it should try to foster a mutual relationship among members of the organization. The relationship between school head and subordinates, and subordinates with other subordinates, must also be considered as one of the most important components of learning environment. Values, such as respect, amity, and cooperation must be the goal of every working personnel in the school. Discord must be settled among peers and disagreement must not be expressed through scornful look thrown to the students. Animosity and unhealthy relationships among the members of the school community grossly hamper the organizational climate by creating barriers and inhibitions among one another. This kind of relationship definitely suppresses blessings of trust and synergy that build a supportive environment that is conducive to learning. The attainment of a pleasant and harmonious relationship among the supposed to be role models in the school must not take a backseat in the pursuit of learning excellence.

Undoubtedly, if the school atmosphere is beset with conflicts and disharmony, the students and teachers would be the most affected among others. Unity among teachers will be compromised and that this may hamper their aspirations of a day to day teaching performance. This will eventually affect the flow of learning achievements among students. Consequently, teachers can’t and won’t be able to release a considerably effective performance of their duty. The question of what will the students learn from the teachers mired in a conflicting situation would be the most important aspect that must be answered the soonest time possible. How can students appreciate or value respect if their teachers have lost theirs? The graces that are supposed to be gained by the students would possibly be in vanishing in vain and the students may gain nothing but bewilderment on the concept of mature and personal relationships.

With these, the pursuit of quality education would be an impossible mission that only the dreamers would dare to do. In reality, modernization and information technology are now occupying a big space in modern education, yet, values, for all its worth must still be the basic necessity that should be present in the school environment. We could not say “NO” to the promising and modern technologies, and likewise, say “YES” to the wrecking values within the confines of the educational institution. There is a great diversity that affects the very goals that we envisioned for our schools. The important aim in these times of modernity is the holistic development of the students. We can only have these through providing our students with conducive learning environment.