Belonging
A page within Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning (CATL)
A welcoming classroom climate enhances student engagement, fostering a space where diverse perspectives are exchanged, enriching learning and building community. This supportive atmosphere bolsters communication skills and self-confidence, encouraging students to take risks, inquire, and innovate. Such an environment, as emphasized in the UWL Eagle Advantage literature, is crucial for students' professional and personal development, nurturing skills essential for their future. Instructors are pivotal in cultivating this climate, directly impacting students' educational experiences and success.
Understanding Student Responses
Students might indicate they feel comfortable in the learning environment for these reasons:
- Supportive Climate: Feeling supported and free from judgment or criticism by peers and the instructor.
- Confidence in Participation: High self-confidence in their knowledge and ability to articulate thoughts.
- Feeling Heard and Valued: Belief that their contributions are acknowledged and valued in the classroom.
- Positive Classroom Dynamics: Comfortable classroom dynamics with equitable participation among all students.
- Inclusivity Across Cultures and Languages: Effective accommodation of cultural differences and language proficiency, making participation easier.
- Comfort with Public Speaking: A general comfort with speaking in public or in group settings, fostered by a supportive learning environment.
Teaching Strategy Toolbox
Instructors can improve classroom climate through the strategies listed below. We recommend building on what you are already doing and incorporating strategies selectively.
Foster an Inclusive Environment
- Inclusive Language: Make a conscious effort to use inclusive language and ask for and respect students' pronouns. This simple act can significantly contribute to creating a respectful and welcoming environment for all students.
- Culturally Diverse Curriculum: Integrate a variety of cultural perspectives into your curriculum. Go beyond the typical examples and include lesser-known works, theories, and case studies from a diverse range of cultures and backgrounds.
- Spotlight on Underrepresented Voices: Regularly spotlight contributions from underrepresented groups in your field. This could be through guest speakers, highlighting their research or achievements, or discussing their impact on the subject matter.
- Facilitate Inclusive Group Dynamics: When organizing group work, be mindful of the dynamics. Consider using random assignment to groups or thoughtfully composing groups to ensure a mix of backgrounds and perspectives, preventing the marginalization of minority voices.
- Microaggression Awareness Training: Conduct or participate in training on microaggressions for yourself and your students. Understanding and addressing microaggressions can significantly improve the classroom climate by making it more welcoming and respectful for everyone.
Encourage Participation
- Cultivate Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity: Begin the course with activities or discussions that raise awareness and sensitivity about different cultures, identities, and backgrounds. Encourage students to share their own experiences and viewpoints, fostering a classroom culture of mutual respect and understanding.
- Make Course Materials More Inclusive: Ensure that all course materials, including readings, case studies, and examples, reflect a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. Use language that is inclusive and non-discriminatory and be mindful of differences in students' learning backgrounds.
- Proactively Create Policies: Set and enforce clear policies against discrimination and harassment in the classroom. They can be set by the instructor or co-created with students themselves (the latter of which may foster greater buy-in and internalization). Make it known that the classroom is a space where disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated. See “Establish Ground Rules” below.
- Encourage Diverse Viewpoints in Discussions: Actively encourage and facilitate the sharing of diverse viewpoints in class discussions, while encouraging individuals to speak for only themselves and clarifying that individual perspectives do not necessarily represent entire groups. Ensure that all voices are heard and valued, and that dominant voices do not overshadow others.
- Responsive and Empathetic Listening: Practice responsive and empathetic listening, showing that you value students' contributions and concerns. Be open to feedback about the classroom environment and willing to make adjustments to address any issues of inclusivity.
Provide Positive Feedback
- Specific and Personalized Acknowledgment: When providing feedback, be specific about what the student did well. Personalize your comments to show that you are paying attention to their individual efforts and contributions.
- Strength-Based Feedback: Focus on the strengths of the student's work. Highlight what they are doing right and how their strengths can be further developed or applied in other areas of their learning.
- Encouraging Language: Use encouraging language that motivates and uplifts. Phrases like "You're on the right track," or "I can see your improvement in..." can boost confidence and reinforce positive behavior.
- Constructive Criticism: When offering areas for improvement, frame suggestions in a way that shows you believe in the student's ability to improve and succeed.
- Acknowledge Individual Contributions: When appropriate, acknowledge student contributions in the classroom. This can be a powerful motivator and can help build a positive and supportive class climate.
Establish Ground Rules
- Co-create Classroom Norms: At the beginning of the course, collaborate with students to establish a set of classroom norms or ground rules. This process ensures that the rules are mutually agreed upon and encourages students to take ownership of the classroom environment.
- Clear Communication of Expectations: Clearly communicate your expectations for respectful and supportive interactions. This includes guidelines on how to disagree constructively, the importance of active listening, and the value of diverse perspectives.
- Incorporate Ground Rules into Syllabus: Include the established ground rules in the course syllabus and revisit them periodically, especially before group activities or discussions, to reinforce their importance.
- Model Respectful Behavior: Lead by example by consistently demonstrating respectful and supportive behavior in all interactions with students. Show how to give constructive feedback and engage in respectful debate.
- Address Inappropriate Behavior Promptly: When instances of disrespect or unsupportive behavior occur, address them promptly and appropriately. Use these moments as teaching opportunities to reinforce the established ground rules and the importance of a positive class climate.
Use Diverse Teaching Methods
- Diverse Instructional Techniques: Employ a range of instructional techniques, including lectures, interactive discussions, project-based learning, and experiential activities. This approach ensures that teaching caters to a broad spectrum of students.
- Choice in Learning Activities: Offer students choices in their learning activities. For instance, let them choose between a research paper, a presentation, or a creative project to demonstrate their understanding of a topic. This empowers students to engage with the material in a way that aligns with their interests and strengths.
- Incorporate Technology and Multimedia: Utilize various technological and multimedia tools, such as digital storytelling, podcasts, and interactive simulations, to provide diverse and engaging ways to explore course concepts.
- Contract-Based Grading: Implement contract-based grading where students agree to complete certain tasks and assignments to achieve their desired grade. This method can reduce anxiety around traditional grading systems and encourage a more focused and personalized approach to learning.
- Experiment with Alternative Grading: Explore alternative grading strategies where the focus is shifted from grades to feedback and learning. Encourage self-reflection and peer feedback as part of the assessment process, allowing students to evaluate their own learning and progress.
Be Approachable and Empathetic
- Open Door Policy: Implement an open-door policy, either physically in your office or virtually through regular, scheduled availability. This policy signals to students that you are accessible and willing to listen to their concerns or questions.
- Active Listening in Interactions: Practice active listening during interactions with students. Show genuine interest in their thoughts and concerns and respond in a way that validates their feelings and experiences.
- Share Personal Experiences: Where appropriate, share your own experiences and challenges related to learning or life. This can humanize you in the eyes of your students and make you more relatable.
- Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness: Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and awareness in your interactions, teaching materials, and classroom discussions. Acknowledge and celebrate diversity in the classroom, showing respect for different backgrounds and experiences.
- Responsive and Supportive Communication: Be responsive to student communications, whether they are academic inquiries or personal concerns. Offer support and understanding and provide guidance or resources when needed. This responsiveness shows students that their well-being is a priority.
Contact Us
CATL staff members are here to support your teaching improvement efforts and would enjoy meeting with you to discuss how to tailor strategies for your unique learning environments. Contact us to arrange a consultation.