Office of Educational Enhancement

Positive Classroom Learning Environments, Improved Student Outcomes

Since its beginnings 40 years ago, the field of learning environments has grown considerably and spread around the world. Although qualitative data-collection methods have provided important insights, a hallmark of the field today is the availability of a rich range of economical and valid questionnaires for assessing students’ perceptions of their classroom environments. As dependent variables, learning environment assessments have provided useful criteria of effectiveness for evaluating a large range of educational programs and teaching approaches. As independent variables, positive learning environments have consistently produced improved student outcomes (including achievement) for many different school subjects, grade levels and countries. Given the established links between positive learning environments and improved student outcomes, it is important that practitioners pay greater attention to assessing, monitoring and improving their classroom learning environments.

When: February 10, 5:30-7pm
Where: McDermott Suite

Just a reminder — the OSSA (Office of Student Success & Assessment) and OEE (Office of Educational Enhancement) is tomorrow (Nov.12) from 10am to 2pm in the UTD Conference Center Lobby. (Please see our previous post for more details.) We hope to see you there!

The Office of Student Success & Assessment (OSSA) and the Office of Educational Enhancement (OEE) cordially invite you to attend an Open House on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 10am – 2pm in the UTD Conference Center Lobby, GEMS Center and OSSA.

Please drop by for a few minutes for refreshments, to meet our team members and get updated on:

• Assessment—sustaining improvement, momentum and value
• Teaching & Learning—workshops, consultation and conversation
• GEMS—facilities, learning enhancements, and initial impact of the QEP
• Distance Learning—innovations in e-learning and instructional design
• Student Success—how the GEMS/LRC ‘merger’ will create a one-stop shop for students
• Engagement—opportunities for students, faculty and staff university-wide to partner with and shape the future of OEE and OSSA

Please save the date. We hope to see you there!