Creating a Positive Classroom Environment Jeff Johnston, Director of Instructional Development November 5, 1998

Creating a Positive Classroom Environment “We sometimes forget the power of the instructor. By leading the discussion process, he or she makes most of the ethical choices. Subtle decisions can have major impacts.” Garvin, 1991 Jeff Johnston, Director of Instructional Development November 5, 1998

…Classroom Environment Purpose: To become better equipped to handle the classroom dynamics that result from student diversity [To continue the dialogue on “Building Community Through Diversity”]

…Classroom Environment Goals: –Provide the opportunity for a dialogue and reflection among faculty –Provide strategies that can be used to address the many challenges associated with teaching in the diverse classroom

…Classroom Environment Overview-- Disability, Race, Sexual Orientation, & Classroom Teaching Vignette--Trust & Fairness How would you handle it? Preparing for a Multicultural Future

Ethics in Education “That set of mutual rights and obligations that ought to govern human relationships” (Callahan, 1982) Educational and ethical issues are linked!

…Classroom Environment “Classrooms in which instructors and students work together to create and sustain an environment in which everyone feels safe, supported, and encouraged to express her or his views and concerns.” (Saunders and Kardia, 1997)

Unequal Partnership The course content Your prior assumptions and awareness of potential multicultural issues in the classroom Your planning of class sessions, including the way students are grouped for learning Your knowledge about the diverse backgrounds of your students Your decisions, comments, and behaviors during the process of teaching

…Classroom Environment “Teaching can be compared to selling commodities. No one can sell unless someone buys…[yet] there are teachers who think they have done a good day’s teaching irrespective of what pupils have learned.” John Dewey, How We Think.

…Classroom Environment Critical Incidents -- a Teaching Development Resource for Colleges and Universities Learning and Teaching Center, University of Victoria. Trust & Fairness!

…Classroom Environment Trust & Fairness –What issues do you see in this situation? –How should faculty members respond to these issues? –What steps might have been taken to prevent this kind of situation from developing?

…Classroom Environment Evaluation: A n alternative approach may be needed. –1. Allow students to take the exam in a separate, quiet room. –2. Grant extensions of time on exams. –3. Avoid overly complicated language and clearly separate questions. –4. Permit the use of a dictionary, computer spell check, or a proofreader. –5. Allow students to use a scribe, reader, word processor or tape recorder. –6. Consider alternative exam designs. Essay vs Multiple Choice formats. –7. Consider alternative assignments that will serve the same purpose.

…Classroom Environment “I would like to hear from anyone in this class who has a disability which may require some modification of the seating, testing or other class requirements. I am reasonably sure we can work out whatever arrangements are needed. Please see me after class or during my office hours.”

…Classroom Environment Scenarios: –Two situations: #1 and #2 –Read and React –Peer Dialogue –Report What issues do you see in this situation? How should faculty members respond to these issues? What steps might have been taken to prevent this kind of situation from developing?

…Classroom Environment #1. A black student turns in an assignment early for you to review. As that student leaves the classroom, another student in the back of your classroom (in a loud voice) tells a neighbor, “If I didn’t have to work to pay my way through college, I could have had my paper finished early.”

…Classroom Environment #2. A campus newspaper article on lesbian and gay student activities featured a quote from one of your students. During class, shortly after the article appeared, you hear a student remark to a friend, “ I don’t tell everyone about my sexuality so why do gays and lesbians make such a big deal about theirs?”

…Classroom Environment Conflict in the classroom –Maintain the role of facilitator –Respond to classroom conflict in a manner that helps students become aware of the “learning moment” this conflict provides –Recognize student fears and concerns about conflict

…Classroom Environment Handout – Instructor Behaviors –Diversity Digest –FRC Web site for Information on “College Students with Disabilities” Workshop Evaluation Suggestions for Future Workshops