Creating a Classroom Climate for Learning

Designing for Engagement and Belonging

Teaching and learning are fundamentally relational processes. The emotional and interpersonal dynamics of a classroom significantly shape how students engage with content, with each other, and with the instructor. A positive classroom climate encourages collaboration, intellectual risk-taking, and the exchange of diverse ideas. In contrast, environments perceived as unwelcoming or unclear may inhibit participation, especially for students who may not yet feel confident navigating academic culture.

This chapter highlights effective strategies for supporting student belonging and access to learning, including:

• Establishing clear guidelines for respectful and inclusive interaction

• Communicating expectations and course norms transparently

• Avoiding assumptions about student experiences or identities

• Acknowledging and managing disagreement when it arises

• Incorporating a wide range of examples and perspectives

• Encouraging a growth-oriented approach to learning

Responding to Challenges in Dialogue

Disagreements or emotionally charged moments may emerge during discussion, especially around complex topics. While these moments can be challenging, they also offer meaningful opportunities for learning. This section offers strategies for:

• Facilitating respectful conversation and intellectual openness

• Responding to classroom tensions with care and structure

• Supporting students during times of local or global distress

• Offering flexibility and connection to campus support resources

Rather than framing these challenges as disruptions, instructors are encouraged to view them as opportunities to build trust and model civil, thoughtful engagement.

Rethinking Office Hours for Greater Access

Traditional office hours are often underutilized due to scheduling barriers or student uncertainty about how to engage. This chapter reimagines office hours as a flexible, student-centered resource by exploring:

• Alternative scheduling formats (e.g., rotating times, drop-in Zoom sessions)

• Low-barrier invitations to connect (e.g., “Ask Me Anything” sessions, video updates)

• Explicit framing of office hours as opportunities for support and connection

Building Instructor Presence and Connection

In both face-to-face and online courses, instructor presence plays a key role in sustaining student motivation. When students feel that their instructor is engaged and available, they are more likely to invest in the course. This section explores ways to foster meaningful instructor-student connection, such as:

• Using personalized feedback and communication

• Maintaining a visible and consistent presence across the term

• Encouraging student participation through thoughtful prompts and multimedia tools

• Designing a welcoming syllabus that signals approachability and care

Cultivating Motivation and Curiosity

Student motivation is a cornerstone of meaningful learning. Drawing from research on goal orientation and motivation theory, this section provides strategies to:

• Connect coursework to students’ goals and interests

• Set clear, achievable expectations that build confidence

• Minimize unintentional barriers to engagement

• Promote autonomy through meaningful choices and real-world relevance

By thoughtfully designing for motivation, instructors can support student curiosity, persistence, and deeper investment in their academic journey.

Promoting Academic Integrity Through Course Design

Promoting academic integrity is not solely about preventing misconduct—it’s about creating an environment that invites genuine, engaged learning. This section, inspired by research from Cheating Lessons by James Lang, explores how course design and assessment practices can:

• Reduce pressure and ambiguity

• Foster trust through transparency and fairness

• Encourage students to see assignments as meaningful, not just evaluative

When students feel supported and challenged within a clearly structured environment, they are more likely to meet high standards with honesty and commitment.