Culture & Environment

4) Students work together to create a classroom enviROnment that promotes connection, relationships, and collaboration.

Students are part of a classroom community that values and supports the identities of all students. 

• Academic Belonging Curated list of instructional strategies to increase students’ sense of belonging from University of Michigan Center for Research on Learning and Teaching.

• Structures for Belonging Research synthesis from the Student Experience Project describes belonging supportive classroom environments. 

• Funds of Knowledge Video Series narrated by Dr. Mejia, an engineering education associate professor, from University of Texas San Antonio. The three videos in the series are about aspects of Funds of Knowledge: discover, value, and apply.

Students have opportunities to build personal connections and discuss ideas beyond course content. 

• Share as much personal information as you’re comfortable sharing and encourage students to do the same.

• Structure introductions so everyone learns a fun fact about each other. 

• Regularly take time in class for students to get to know one another and check-in.

• Model use of students’ desired pronouns and ask all students to respect others’ pronouns.

Students collaborate in ways that help strengthen relationships and make new connections. 

• Revisit class norms before beginning group work and ask if additional norms are needed. (Spoiler alert- they are!)

• Structure time into group activities and tasks so students have a chance to get to know one another as humans.

• Model empathy, care, and respect for your students.

Students respect the contribution of diverse students in their class. 

• The goal of the Student Experience Project is to transform the college student experience so that every student is supported to succeed. Resources include: Equitable Academic & Social Supports and Supportive Instructor & Course Interactions.