Establishing a Positive Classroom Climate

There is so much more to teaching than simply explaining academic concepts. Learning cannot occur unless a classroom climate has been established that promotes inclusion, equality, fairness, and kindness. This can be a challenge because schools are full of diverse groups of students who often do not share the same cultural background as their teacher, or even as one another. As a teacher, it is crucial to consider and constantly work towards creating a warm, caring classroom environment that is safe for students of all racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.

As a Caucasian teacher, I am often faced with the challenge that I do not look like, or come from the same cultural background as the students I teach. Students in the schools in California come from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, making this practice of creating a safe and welcoming classroom environment all the more important. As the teacher, and the only adult in the classroom, my job is to ensure that all of my students feel safe and free to be themselves in my classroom. I also must ensure that they do not feel they must become something different, or hide any part of themselves in fear of ridicule for being different. All students should feel welcome to be themselves and to share their cultural beliefs, traditions, and ways of living with the class. I never want a student to feel uncomfortable speaking up because they hold a different belief or afraid of being mocked for an opinion.

In order to create a positive classroom climate of caring and concern that enables me to build strong relationships with my students, I must thoughtfully and carefully create strategies and practices to use in my classroom. The following are strategies and ideas I have for creating the ideal classroom climate.

• Create class rules and norms as a group: During the first week of school, students should be given an opportunity to write down class rules and norms that they think are most important. This would then be followed up with a whole group discussion, where the norms are established. As the teacher, I would look over and consider all students ideas and input. Then I would facilitate a discussion with the entire class, where students could share their thoughts, ideas, and feelings as we create a set of class norms to "live by." 
• Setting up the classroom in a thoughtful manner: The way a classroom looks inside speaks volumes. I would set up my desks in a way that encourages collaboration, such as in pods or groups of 3-5 students. I also plan to keep up posters and quotes from a variety of important leaders and people in history from all different cultures. I think this is huge- having the words of someone like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the wall, and having a quote from Caesar Chavez alongside not only is inspirational, but reminds students that they are in an environment that is appreciative and respectful of all cultures, races, and ethnicity. These are just a few examples, but I would love to include many more words of wisdom from leaders from other races and cultural groups. 
• Create a system of values-based behavior management: Rather than simply have rules with consequences, I would like to create a behavior management system that students are personally invested in, and when something does happen, they have the opportunity to learn from their mistake. Students will help to create the class rules and norms, as discussed in the first bullet point. Rules and norms will be strictly enforced, but I will be mindful of the consequence and how it will impact the student. 
• Class discussions where students can share their feelings: I plan to have class discussions/meetings about once per week. In this meeting, students will be able to share something that has been bothering them, or write it down and share it with me if they do not wish to share out loud. I will also use this time to talk about different issues such as anti-bullying, tolerance, how to be an active listener, and even giving students a chance to talk about their own culture if they wish to share something with the class. I want this time to be a time where students know they can talk and be heard in a safe, respectful, open environment. I think that creating a specific time each week to do this will be a great way to continuously build on the type of classroom environment I would like to establish. 

Throughout the school year and as I develop as a teacher, I know I will be constantly reevaluating these ideas and making changes as I see fit. I plan to continually educate myself on the cultural backgrounds that my students come from so that I can better understand each one of them. It is very important to be aware and to be an advocate for each of my students. I believe all of these practices will contribute to creating a positive classroom climate. 

Mobile Learning

Key Question: Why should a teacher be prepared to allow or require students to use mobile devices to achieve learning objectives?

We live in a constantly changing, fast paced, technology driven world. As educators, it is key that we not only continue to educate our students about core curriculum, but teach them using relevant and useful technology. There are a vast amount of mobile resources available today. Most schools in the United States have at least some access to mobile devices, such as computers, iPads, or other tablets. There are now a vast number of applications created specifically for student and classroom use.

As a teacher, I have seen first hand the impact technology can have on a classroom. Technology and mobile devices give the teacher the ability to flip the classroom around and have students take charge of their learning. The teacher can then be more of a facilitator, as she walks around and observes, asks questions, and further engages students as they work on their mobile device. In addition, mobile devices provide a simple way to differentiate in the classroom. Each student is unique and has different needs, talents, and capabilities. Mobile devices make differentiation much simpler. Also, mobile devices are often times more stimulating than a simple class lecture. For example, if I am teaching my students how to divide numbers, a class lecture may be essential initially, but the mobile device will then push students to practice their new skills and move at their own pace. Instead of completing a worksheet, the student can feel as if they are playing a fun game while doing their classwork. This can be especially helpful for younger students who have a hard time focusing in the classroom for 6-7 hours per day. Finally, I believe teachers should absolutely use mobile devices in the classroom because it is important to teach students how to be good digital citizens. If students learn how to properly use a mobile device in school, understand how to politely communicate online, and learn what to watch out for on the Internet, they can be much better digital citizens as they grow up. Teachers have the opportunity, and responsibility, to teach their students how to be good digital citizens.

Guiding Principles for Mobile Learning

*Ensure all students have a working device that is free from harmful content.
*Teach students how to properly turn the device on and off, as well as how to handle the device carefully.
*Establish classroom procedures for use of all mobile devices. Students must know when they are allowed to use the device, how to handle it, which device to use, etc.
*Give careful instructions on how to use the mobile application. Students can learn as they go, but make sure that instructions are given because not all students will be comfortable learning on their own.
*Use technology/mobile devices on a daily basis if possible. The more practice the better.
*Teach students to be good digital citizens. Be sure to have rules and guidelines for Internet use and appropriate conversations so there is no confusion about what is expected.
*Be proactive as students use their mobile device. Walk around, observe what they are doing, and check for understanding regularly

Mobile Activities in the Classroom

Idea 1: Use the camera on a tablet to create a video for an English project. Students will write a poem, then record themselves reciting the poem using their tablet. The poem can then be shared with the whole class as a presentation via the recorded video.

Idea 2: Flip the classroom for a math lesson. Assign students to watch a particular Kahn Academy video at home. When students come to class, begin practice on the topic they were supposed to watch on their mobile device. Further, students could even use the tablet for practice on the math topic by taking a quiz on Quizlet, or a similar type of program.

Idea 3: Have students use an online tool to collaborate with a group for a social students project. For example, say groups are each assigned a certain country. The students in each group must research the culture, food, religion, geographic landmarks, etc. of that particular country. Students can create an online document with their group, and all post information to the document as they do their research.