Three kinds of learning environment that offer meaningful and practical learning activity in today's China, should be considered:
l Media based learning environment
Over the last decade, the field of education through media has gained importance in China. However they are usually used as teacher’s machine not as learner’s machine. The most powerful use of technologies is to make students immerse in a learning environment. Electronic media, especially computer and Internet can support learning activity by prompting the collaboration, communication, construction, inquiry and expression.
l Comprehensive learning environment
Interdisciplinary knowledge and skills seems to be essential currency, therefore, comprehensive course is adopted to fit this need in many schools. A Comprehensive learning environment based on computer and network can help students discover the interdisciplinary relations; acquire authentic experience and the methodological knowledge that needed in information society.
l Family related learning environment
In modern China, the family also has much change. Family has become small and more affection-oriented unit which put more gravity on their only child; the parents have better literacy that make parent-child culture exchange possible; electronic sets are gradually pervasive. Therefore, child can engage in active learning and practicing the textbook knowledge with parent’s participation. In addition, the parents also can learn from their children.
3.What this means for a teacher
In the learning environment, the teacher has become more of a coach on side rather than the main source for delivering information; become creative manager of learning experience rather than merely dispense of material. Teacher meet the challenges of how to integrate the computer and Internet into students’ learning activity, how to combine the curriculum and technologies, how to transform theory knowledge into the daily life, how to promote collaboration, etc. So, teacher’s role and instructional skills should be redefined, training is needed.