Classroom Culture

RSMAS TA Training August 20, 2012Holly Perryman

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Classroom CultureWhat is it?• The process of instilling certain

universal values and behavioral expectations in your student to:– Promote their well-being– Facilitate learning– Ensure future success

Classroom CultureWhat is it?• The process of instilling certain

universal values and behavioral expectations in your student to:– Promote their well-being– Facilitate learning– Ensure future success

Why is it important?• A classroom culture of trust and

acceptance is the foundation for establishing an environment which students are empowered and comfortable with:– Providing feedback – Learning from mistakes – Aiming to maximize potential

How is Classroom Culture Developed?Establish a culture of acceptance and trust by:

– Model acceptance and respect as students offer ideas to improve the classroom culture or learning

– Act upon students’ suggestions to reinforce the value of student input

– Encouraging students to participate and engage in process thinking and active listening

How is Classroom Culture Developed?Establish a culture of acceptance and trust by:

– Model acceptance and respect as students offer ideas to improve the classroom culture or learning

– Act upon students’ suggestions to reinforce the value of student input

– Encouraging students to participate and engage in process thinking and active listening

Promote Active Listening by:– Promote student participation:

asking volunteers / pick students randomly

– Individual group responses (e.g., Students answer questions with provided answer cards) http://uminntilt.wordpress.com

/

2011/09/26/listen-up-

strategies-to-promote-

active-listening-as-part-of-

lectures-presentations/

Building and Maintaining a Positive Learning Environment

• Be prepared for each class and dress appropriately• Establish relationships with the class by attending class and learning & using the

student’s names • Be consistent with expectations stated on syllabus

– If you make changes, tell the class and provide a rational • Begin class by “grounding”, a brief introduction to transition the class to the

days lesson – Announcements/A funny story/etc.

Building and Maintaining a Positive Learning Environment

• Get everyone’s “voice in the room”; promotes active listening– “What do we talk about last time”– “Discuss with your neighbor thoughts/questions/problems with the reading”

• Think about lesson objectives and how to appropriately get them across – Maybe changing venues would facilitate the lesson

• Encourage student interaction with you and each other

Building and Maintaining a Positive Learning Environment

• Frequently ask for student input– At the end of class, have students write down feedback on a piece of paper

for various questions, e.g., “What went well today?”, “How was the pace?”– Show the students you are reading and considering their feedback (e.g., take

a minute the next lecture to talk about their comments)• Provide closure with every lesson

– For example: “Next time we will…”, “Please read …”, etc.

Culture in the Classroom• The system of shared

– Beliefs– Values– Customs– Behaviors– Artifacts

Culture in the Classroom• The system of shared

– Beliefs– Values– Customs– Behaviors– Artifacts

• To engage students, reach out to them in ways that are culturally and linguistically responsive and appropriate

• Be aware of the cultural assumptions/stereotypes brought into the classroom that may hinder interconnectedness

• Develop an appreciation for diversity an promote equality and mutual respect among students

Culture in the Classroom• The system of shared

– Beliefs– Values– Customs– Behaviors– Artifacts

• To engage students, reach out to them in ways that are culturally and linguistically responsive and appropriate

• Be aware of the cultural assumptions/stereotypes brought into the classroom that may hinder interconnectedness

• Develop an appreciation for diversity an promote equality and mutual respect among students

Test yourself for hidden bias!

Common Cultural Misunderstandings• Students not making eye contact

– A sign of respect in some cultures • Students who may have limited

English may avoid speaking, so nod and smile to indicated understanding– They may not be understanding at all

• Students may refrain from speaking– A sign of respect in some cultures

Common Cultural Misunderstandings• Students not making eye contact

– A sign of respect in some cultures • Students who may have limited

English may avoid speaking, so nod and smile to indicated understanding– They may not be understanding at all

• Students may refrain from speaking– A sign of respect in some cultures

• Personal space • Working in groups Vs. working

individually– Culturally acquired learning style to

“mimic” / see what has been done• Attitudes about time

– Make your attitude obvious the first day

General Strategies• Recognize any biases or stereotypes you

may have absorbed• Treat each student as an individual, and

respect each student for who he/she is • Do your best to be sensitive to

terminology• Rectify any language patterns or case

examples that exclude or demean any groups

General Strategies• Use terms of equal weight when referring

to parallel groups• Use both he and she during lectures,

discussions and writing, and encourage students to do the same

• Recognize that your students may come from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds

• Refrain from remarks that make assumptions about your student’s experiences/backgrounds/family/religion/etc.

• Recognize any biases or stereotypes you may have absorbed

• Treat each student as an individual, and respect each student for who he/she is

• Do your best to be sensitive to terminology

• Rectify any language patterns or case examples that exclude or demean any groups

Lessons• Why classroom culture is important and how to

incorporate it into your lecture• Promoting active listening as well as a positive learning

environment• Embracing culture in the classroom and acknowledging

common misunderstandings• General strategies for avoiding stereotyping

Sourceshttp://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/baldrige/staff/classroomculture.shtmhttp://tilt.colostate.edu/tips/tip.cfm?tipid=136http://www.shenet.org/arongen/sfarenell/P12.htmhttp://www.tolerance.org/activity/culture-classroomhttp://www.tolerance.org/activity/test-yourself-hidden-biaswww.pbisaz.org/files/CultureintheClassroom_06..ppthttp://www2.honolulu.hawaii.edu/facdev/guidebk/teachtip/diverse.htmhttp://www.ajarn.com/blogs/steve-schertzer/creating-classroom-culture/https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/demo/selectatest.htmlhttp://nadabs.tripod.com/culture/

Classroom Culture

RSMAS TA Training August 20, 2012Holly Perryman