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In Class

Research has found that students’ feeling of belonging is important to many aspects of their academic performance. Building classroom community is an important strategy for developing students’ feelings of belonging and can ensure all students have opportunities to receive and provide help.

Tinto, V. (1987). Leaving college: Rethinking the causes and cures of student attrition. University of Chicago Press. Chicago, IL.

 

Related tips:
Building Classroom Community: In Class

Look for common problems that arise in group work to determine which intervention is best.

Have students call on each other to encourage discussion rather than performance.

Arrange chairs in a circle to ensure all students can see the speaker.

Break the class into smaller groups to allow students to have more opportunities to contribute.

Use think-pair-share to increase the frequency of interaction.

Encourage students to use other students’ names to facilitate more of a sense of community.

During group or partner work, have students ensure everyone around them has a partner to reduce the burden on students who don’t know anyone.

Encourage students to sit in a new seat each class to encourage students to get to know more of their peers.

Other Resources

  • Pomona College's Teaching and Learning Center
  • Claremont Colleges Center for Teaching and Learning
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