Classroom Culture Sets the Tone
The beginning of a new school year is the perfect time to talk about classroom culture. Much has been written about the topic in recent years, as more and more emphasis has been placed on teaching and learning in the 21st century. With the fast pace of technological advances and the assault of information from many different places, creating a classroom culture that not only takes advantage of new resources but ensures that every student can navigate within these new parameters becomes critical.
At the same time, students must learn to collaborate, problem solve and appreciate different perspectives as they work together to form a successful learning community. Establishing an environment of trust and acceptance lays the foundation for building a positive classroom culture and climate. The adage that students won’t care about what you know until they know that you care, holds true. According to Rod Lucero of Colorado State University, a positive classroom culture is essential for increasing student engagement, creating a safe environment in which meaningful discussion can take place, and encouraging student collaboration and participation. Without acceptance and trust, students’ energy may be distracted from learning. Teachers must model acceptance and respect, and treat every student with dignity to create an environment, where every opinion can be heard, and students feel safe contributing to the discussion.
Creating a positive classroom culture also contributes to deeper learning. As students learn to respect the ideas of others and feel safe to share their thoughts freely, a classroom community of inquiry can evolve. Students will enjoy collaborating with their peers to delve into topics of interest and problem solve together. Learning becomes more meaningful and relevant to how people work in the “real world.” Students learn that there are various perspectives and ways to think about a subject or problem and that more than one solution is possible. Development of these all-important thinking skills flourishes within an emotionally and intellectually safe learning environment carefully constructed by the classroom teacher.
In the olden days (when I was in school), teachers were not allowed to share personal stories or discuss controversial topics with students. Sharing relevant, interesting aspects of a teacher’s life helps students connect to their teachers and informs them that teachers are human beings with the same vulnerabilities, frustrations, hopes and dreams. With so much information now easily available to students, teachers are here to help navigate and understand what they see and hear. They can do this if they have made personal connections with their students and gained their trust.
Since the internet has come into play, students are interacting and learning in new ways. However, some of these are not exactly “new.” Douglas Thomas and John Seely Brown, authors of a book about culture and learning, assert that “learning flourishes in online worlds through the dynamics of play, games and imagination. The kinds that flourish are peer-to-peer learning, mentoring, inquiry-based learning, experimentation, tacit learning, passion and collaboration.” These are very familiar to classroom teachers. If a positive classroom culture can be created in which these kinds of learning are practiced, students will benefit by becoming comfortable with both learning in person within a community of learners as well as online in a virtual world.
Our teachers will be using the first weeks of school to establish a positive culture within their classrooms and foster trust and acceptance among and with their students. They will model the importance of treating every human being with dignity and create an environment where students feel safe find their voice. We’re excited for the 2016-2017 school year, and our teachers are looking forward to learning together with their students in an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding.
