Identifying the Components of Effective Learning Environments Based on Health Student's Perception Print

Effective learning environment can lead to establish and strengthen the appropriate conditions of learning in higher education. This study aimed to identify and define the factors associated with effective learning environment in the field of health education.Participants & This qualitative study with content analysis approach was conducted in 2013. Participants were 9 graduate and 7 undergraduate students of health majors that were selected using purposive sampling method. Data were recorded by interview and were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Analysis of the data revealed 4 themes and 13 classes; active and interactive teaching (participating viewpoints of students in educational planning, engaging students in class discussions, providing practical examples to understand the content, relaxing about expressed thoughts, the possibility of constructive criticism master plan of activities and according to the conditions and individual differences between students), Joyful atmosphere (academic motivation, the joy of learning and attendance, a sense of acceptance and respect from teachers and classroom dynamics and vitality and fatigue), relation of courses with professional needs (knowledge of the needs of the job in training course content and related training to the needs of job opportunities) and professors’ scientific and power and expert (expertise and scientific capabilities in the field of teaching). 4 major themes and their characteristics can help to organize the learning environment in medical education.