Classroom climate refers to the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical environment in which students learn. The instructor has the greatest influence on classroom climate, and therefore can make intentional decisions to foster a community of diverse learners.
Help students find skills and language to be inclusive while still maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Establish an appropriate communicative and educational environment with your students.
We are constantly scanning our environment for cues that tell us if we are connected to others around us.
Peer-reviewed research on the classroom environment that college students’ sense of belonging
For all of the tangible ways that faculty work to help students succeed at CSU, it might be the intangible sense of belonging that most underscores a student’s pathway to success.
Class discussions provide a framework for students to think critically—out loud—about topics being covered in class. They also provide an opportunity to gauge how well your students are comprehending course concepts, assignments, and outside readings.
Properly facilitated, classroom discussions foster a sense of academic community, one in which students may openly share their thoughts and ideas as well as express, defend and explore differing opinions.
