Establishing norms for the classroom can help to cut down on disruptions, provide guidelines for what is considered acceptable behavior, decrease incivility, and make students and teachers feel safe to express their ideas or points of view, according to a new resource from the Center for Teaching Innovation.
The center has outlined a number of techniques that instructors should consider when establishing and implementing classroom norms. These cover such topics as reflecting on limits, communicating expectations and implementing classroom norms.
Reflecting on Limits
To set limits in the classroom, Instructors should decide what they consider to be acceptable or unacceptable for classroom behavior. Also, they should consider how they and their students might differ about what is considered acceptable or unacceptable.
Then, they should think about how to communicate expectations and ensure that students understand them.
Communicating Expectations
Teachers should share expectations and explain why they have them. One example cited by the Center for Teaching Innovation is that texting might communicate disrespect to the instructor and could possibly cause class disruptions.
Instructors should create a space in class for students to discuss in small groups such prompts as:
- What does a productive learning environment look like?
- What conditions are needed for students to feel safe to participate in class?
- What is considered acceptable or unacceptable classroom behavior?
Implementing Classroom Norms
To implement classroom norms, instructors should create their own list and present them to the class. Students should be asked to contribute additional items, and then the class should discuss the items they added and decide on a list of norms as a group.
For older students, the classroom norms should be included in the course syllabus and be presented as a contract that students must sign.
Instructors should revisit these norms throughout the school year. In the event of conflict, use classroom norms to dictate how to address difficult situations.
For more information, read the Center for Teaching Innovation’s resource on establishing classroom norms.
