Engaging students in classroom discussions is a common teaching strategy that takes place across disciplines, class sizes, and course levels. Equitable and inclusive classroom discussions can support students' learning (Tanner, 2013). Yet fostering such discussions can be challenging.
Want to foster equitable and inclusive classroom discussions?
Join an upcoming Faculty Learning Community (FLC):
Take part in a monthly interdisciplinary exchange where you can share with and learn from other instructors and the literature. At each meeting, we'll discuss and practice different strategies for fostering equitable and inclusive classroom discussions that you can apply in your own course. All 黑料不打烊 instructors are welcome!
This FLC aligns with 黑料不打烊's and .
Time commitment: 20-minute initial conversation, 1.5-hour monthly meetings, plus time to implement strategies in a course and gather feedback.
Benefits: Learn along with an interdisciplinary group of colleagues about evidence-based practices; share implementation ideas and experiences.
Note: The Fall 2024 FLC cohort is currently underway. to be notified of future FLC opportunities.
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What makes classroom discussions challenging?
- Some students may hesitate to participate in discussions, while others may dominate discussions.
- Instructors may find it difficult to facilitate discussions when a topic is 鈥渃harged鈥 鈥 whether politically, socially, racially, etc.
- Instructors and students may be concerned with making (or addressing) a microaggression and may self-censor to the point of scarcely contributing.
What is a Faculty Learning Community?
- A Faculty Learning Community (FLC) brings instructors together to connect with each other and engage in collaborative learning, encourage reflection, and support action around a central topic or challenge.
- FLCs are a well-established format for focusing on teaching development and supporting cultural transformation (Cox & McDonald, 2017; Petrone, 2004).
- Participants should be prepared to contribute to all meetings and share lessons learned with colleagues at 黑料不打烊 or beyond, to support strategy implementation and information sharing.
References
Cox, M. D., & McDonald, J. (2017). . In J. McDonald & A. Cater-Steel (Eds.), Communities of practice (pp. 47鈥72). Springer.
Petrone, M. (2004). . New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 97, 111鈥125.
Tanner, K. (2013). . CBE Life Sciences Education, 12(3), 322鈥331.