What does the term Learning Environment mean?

​Learning environment refers to the diverse physical locations, contexts, and cultures in which students learn. Since students may learn in a wide variety of settings, such as outside-of-school locations and outdoor environments, the term is often used as a more accurate or preferred alternative to classroom, which has more limited and traditional connotations—a room with rows of desks and a chalkboard, for example.
See expanded definition here
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Think Learning Environments - Think a Culture of Engagement

In my opinion there are three core elements that make up a Learning Environment and each have an effect on the other. All these elements are bound together by one concept ​Relationships. Human Relationships - Relationships with the physical and cognitive. 

Place 

Inside: 
Furniture -arrangement and design
Decor / stimulus
Lighting, Audio, visual, and digital technologies
Outside:
Play environments that provide interaction with nature
Wood, Stone, Water, Sun, rain, etc.
Play Equipment that provide physical development opportunities

People

Pedigogy
Learners: We are all learners
Facilitators: Expose individuals to the learning opportunities which move them towards their goals
Supporters: Provider of opportunities that support learning – Community members with specific skills  
​Learning Framework:
Collaborative and Cooperative strategies, Graphic organizers, Critical and Creative thinking, Brain Theory
Researched Based:
Walker Learning (ECE) Enquiry Learning, Explicit instruction
Emotional Frameworks:
Positive Behaviour Support, Growth Mindset, The 7 Habits of Happy Kids, Mindfulness, Circle of Courage 
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Learning Environments, what could they look like?  really think about it. 

Believe the learner
Be Mindful
Embrace Change 
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​Learning Environments that:

Putting the learner first..  Really put the learner at the forefront of the learning environment. Creating spaces that reflect the needs of the learner, (not that of the systems or individual teachers)
The learning may occur at home, in a classroom type experience, online, with friends at a local hangout.  The physical infrastructure (the school as we now know it) could be open earlier and later to provide accessibility to specific facilitators. There would be no school holidays, students might take a break when needed or at the end of a learning experience. Staff would also enjoy greater flexibility, some may choose to work in the evening, while others may take time to study.
The Physical infrastructure would be a hub for learners, providing learners with access to technology (i.e The internet, 3d Printers, CNC machines, collaborative Digital devices …). The Learning Environment would be designed to with small quiet study spaces, a number of full size “classrooms” creation spaces, larger areas for collaborative and lecture style activities. The furniture would be ergonomically appropriate for learners needs. The furniture will not tell you what it is. It will multifunctional. The learner would determine how, where and when to use it.
Learning Environments that:

Employ people that can facilitate deep engaging learning experience and understand where to next. These people may work with learners for a few days and week or years. They could be parents, community members and local professionals. These people may work directly with learners or provide inspiration session (Talking to groups of learners and stimulating collaborating sharing, questioning). Oh and some trained educational facilitators who‘s role would coach /mentor individuals, developing their relationships and collaborations. These educational facilitators would work with multi aged learning groups, based around their specific expertise.
Learning Environments that:

Supporting  the learner with relevant researched pedagogy, with a strong focus on metacognition and communication. (The latter is literacy and numeracy but with the focus being on purposeful use.) Learners will be exposed to an ecology of learn, learning to be attentive to their learning journey and how to balance their life experiences. They will understand the importance of Mastery, Interdependence, Belonging and Generosity. 
​There will be an understanding by all that learners need to understand and utilise the following capacities?
​Learning is a reflective and social process that covers flexible thinking, motivation, and emotion, not just behaviour.
Learners are active and present in their learning, and can work towards self-determined goals.
Learning is a complex procedure and needs to be supported by all stakeholders including, Learners, peers, parents, community, and the Learning environment.
Self-regulated learning skills are a set of procedures that are essential to developing lifelong learning.
Canadian Consortium for Self-Regulated Learning research-based perspectives on learning

Thanks to Sal Khan(The One World School House), Martin Brokenleg (Circle of Courage), Carol Dweck(Growth Mindset). Whose ideas have aided me to continue my learning journey?

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