Classroom Culture
RSMAS TA Training
August 20, 2012
Holly Perryman
2
Classroom Culture
What 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 Culture
What is it?
Why is it important?
• The process of instilling certain
universal values and behavioral
expectations in your student to:
• A classroom culture of trust and
acceptance is the foundation for
establishing an environment
which students are empowered
and comfortable with:
– Promote their well-being
– Facilitate learning
– Ensure future success
– 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)
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
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
Sources
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/baldrige/staff/classroomculture.shtm
http://tilt.colostate.edu/tips/tip.cfm?tipid=136
http://www.shenet.org/arongen/sfarenell/P12.htm
http://www.tolerance.org/activity/culture-classroom
http://www.tolerance.org/activity/test-yourself-hidden-bias
www.pbisaz.org/files/CultureintheClassroom_06..ppt
http://www2.honolulu.hawaii.edu/facdev/guidebk/teachtip/diverse.htm
http://www.ajarn.com/blogs/steve-schertzer/creating-classroom-culture/
https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/demo/selectatest.html
http://nadabs.tripod.com/culture/
Classroom Culture
RSMAS TA Training
August 20, 2012
Holly Perryman