Student-constructed classroom guidelines: How to involve students in the creation of a tailored classroom environment

Vardell, Emily

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/105332 Copy

Description

Title

Student-constructed classroom guidelines: How to involve students in the creation of a tailored classroom environment

Author(s)

Vardell, Emily

Issue Date

2019-09-24

Keyword(s)

• Classroom guidelines
• Classroom environment
• Student-constructed
• Tailored environments
• Classroom culture

Abstract

When students begin a new class, they are often given a list of guidelines outlining how the classroom environment should look and how the students (and sometimes the instructors) should behave. These lists impose the instructor’s preferences for classroom behavior on students and may exacerbate the inherent power dynamics at play in a classroom. In addition, instructor-created guidelines may not be sensitive to the cultural needs of students in our increasingly global classrooms. This paper presents a novel way of creating classroom guidelines by asking the students themselves to construct them on the first day of class. The themes that arose from the student-identified desires included respect for others, a safe environment, clear course structure, hands-on activities, course rigor, open food policy, clear explanations, opportunity for movement, and congenial group work. The suggestions offered in this paper can assist instructors in tailoring learning environments to students and creating a safe and inviting classroom culture from day one. Filling a gap in the literature, this work offers suggestions for student-centered classroom guidelines that reflect the desires of the contemporary graduate student.

Series/Report Name or Number

• Education programs/schools
• Students
• Teaching faculty

Type of Resource

text

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/105332

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