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Creating a Positive Course Climate for Effective Learning

Course climate encompasses the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical environment where students engage in learning. It’s shaped by factors like course demographics, the physical setting, interactions with faculty and peers, and the accessibility and diversity of course content.

Negative interactions, such as microaggressions, stereotyping, and tokenizing, can lead to emotional stress, reducing the cognitive capacity available for learning.

Understanding the Course Climate Continuum

As described in How Learning Works by Ambrose et al. (2010), course climate exists on a spectrum:

• Explicitly Marginalizing: Hostile and unwelcoming. Students may encounter openly sexist, racist, or xenophobic comments from faculty or peers.
• Implicitly Marginalizing: Subtly excludes certain groups. For instance, a faculty member avoids addressing racial issues, signaling that such topics aren’t welcome.
• Implicitly Centralizing: Offers unplanned validation of marginalized perspectives when students raise them, but without consistent effort.
• Explicitly Centralizing: Intentionally integrates marginalized perspectives. Faculty establish "rules of engagement" in the syllabus to create brave spaces, ensuring these perspectives are routinely part of discussions.

Strategies for a Centralizing Course Climate

1. Develop an Inclusive Syllabus: Use your syllabus to set expectations for respect and inclusivity.
2. Examine Assumptions 91ÖÆƬ³§ Students: Reflect on your biases and how they may influence interactions.
3. Model Inclusive Behavior: Use language and attitudes that set a positive example.
4. Provide Structured Rubrics: Transparency in grading helps all students understand expectations clearly.
5. Create Brave Spaces: Encourage open dialogue and validate diverse perspectives intentionally.

Breakout Room Tips for Online Teaching

Breakout rooms can be powerful for engagement but present challenges such as monitoring behavior and promoting inclusive group dynamics. Consider these strategies:

• Assign Specific Roles: Designate roles like note-taker, facilitator, and timekeeper to prevent bias (e.g., gender stereotypes).
• Provide Structured Prompts: Share a clear document to guide group discussions and reduce stress.
• Monitor with Care: Join breakout rooms strategically to ensure productive conversations without disrupting the flow.

Watch this one-minute video .

Creating an inclusive course climate is a dynamic and ongoing process. Use these strategies to foster a welcoming, productive learning environment for all students.

Further Reading & Resources

• Ambrose, Susan A., Michael W. Bridges, Michele DiPietro, Marsha C. Lovett, and Marie K. Norman. How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching. San Francisco: John Wiley & Sons, 2010.