Classroom Climate/navigatingcomplexity classroomclimate
1. Description
The university classroom is often the first place for students to engage in critical discussions with others from diverse backgrounds on socially and politically sensitive issues. It provides a unique opportunity for exploration, growth and critical thinking. However, these exchanges do not always result in a productive learning experience for everyone. We can neither predict the outcome nor prescribe solutions.The university classroom is often the first place for students to engage in critical discussions with others from diverse backgrounds on socially and politically sensitive issues. It provides a unique opportunity for exploration, growth and critical thinking. However, these exchanges do not always result in a productive learning experience for everyone. We can neither predict the outcome nor prescribe solutions. Date: August 29th, 2014
2. Facilitators
Amy Perreault, Emily Renoe, Hanae Tsukada
3. Workshop Objectives
In order to respond to the complexity and dynamics in the classroom, this session aims to:
- Identify the basic components of classroom climate in relation to student development;
- Strategize how to create a classroom climate that is conducive to learning, drawing on case studies and participant experiences of challenging classroom situations; and
- Introduce resources and support services available
4. Us and You (10 mins)
- Facilitator introductions
- Participant introduction: What are some of your expectations from this workshop? What knowledge and information do you expect to gain?
5. Activity - Icebreaker (Amy - 20 mins)
- What's Your Stress and What's Your Joy?
- How do you navigate challenging experiences in your face-to-face and online classroom?
6. Introduction to Theory (Hanae - 15 mins)
- Exploring How Learning Works by Susan Ambrose
- Chapter 6: Why Do Student Development and Course Climate Matter for Student Learning
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10 min Break
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7. Activity - Watch Video (Amy - 30 min)
- Introduction to webspace: What I learned in class today - http://www.whatilearnedinclasstoday.com/
- What's the video all about?
- Things to Think About as you watch the video:
- What intellectual, emotional, social aspects are playing out in this video ?
- What conversations are the students having?
- Small groups debrief their findings
8. Activity - Your Classroom Experiences (Emily - 30 min)
- In small groups:
- Reflect and discuss a classroom experience where intellectual, emotional, social aspects played out and there was a conflict situation
- Each group selects one story to 'unpack' together
- On flip chart sheets: Capture the Who, What, Where, What I would Do Differently?
- Things to Think About:
- What was the conflict? what was happened? If you could return to that moment....what would you do differently? (discuss as a group this element in particular)
- Then Gallery Walk to view other groups reflections
Activity Resource: Strategies from How Learning Works: Chapter 6 placed on each table
9. 
Resources
By the CTLT Aboriginal Initiatives
- A year-long series of workshop sessions offered by Aboriginal Initiatives at the Centre of Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT) at UBC. This series offers the UBC community the opportunity to challenge their own assumptions about what they have learned about Aboriginal peoples, become more critically aware of their teaching and research practices, and learn more about how they engage with topics that challenge their own social location within the institution. The wiki page compiles session information and related resources for each session topic.
- Crey, K., & Perreault, A. (2007). What I learned in class today: Aboriginal issues in the classroom. Vancouver, Canada: UBC.
- Videos of interviews with UBC students and instructors discussing difficult conversations on Aboriginal issues in their classrooms. Includes discussion topics and facilitator guide that help conduct discussions on the issues addressed in the interviews.
Readings
- Ambrose, S. A., Bridges, M. W., DiPietro, M., Lovett, M. C., & Norman, M. K. (2010). How learning works: Seven research-based principles for smart teaching. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
- Free online copy at UBC Library. (Click on the UBC eLink above.)
- Chapter 6: Why Do Student Development and Course Climate Matter for Student Learning? (p. 153-187)
- How Does Your Online Identity Impact Classroom Climate?
- Cornell University: What is Classroom Climate?
- Ewart-Bauer, T. (2011, January). Emotion, conflict, and culture in the classroom: Part one of two. Bridges, 9(1), 12-14.
Permalink
- Ewart-Bauer, T. (2011, April). Emotion, conflict, and culture in the classroom: Part two of two. Bridges, 9(3), 13-15. Permalink