Source: OneHE
Have you ever wondered why some classes seem to “click” and others just seem “off?” Setting a positive tone in your classes can result in higher levels of student engagement, community building, and feelings of belonging, which support students’ success. A variety of techniques can be used to foster a positive and inclusive environment throughout the semester. OneHE has compiled a set of activities that can be used to foster a positive climate in your classroom. Excerpts from the article are included in this post.
Video Conferencing
Video conferencing is a common tool used in higher education. Instructors and students can struggle with the question, “Do I have my camera on or off?” The answer can have a significant impact on the tone of your course. Flexibility is the key. The infographic below provides important issues for you to consider when setting the tone during online sessions. Remember – just because students have their camera off does not mean they are not engaged in the session. 
The infographic above is created by Torrey Trust under CC-BY-SA-NC 4.0; accessible version can be accessed at this webpage.
Gratitude Journal
Gratitude is important for supporting well-being. Techniques to foster gratitude include starting the day listing three things you are grateful for or writing the name of one person you are grateful for on a piece of paper each day for a year and placing the paper in a jar. You can review these notes and remind yourself to be thankful for your life. Ask students to write in a gratitude journal daily, or periodically, to help promote a positive tone in your class because they are reminded that there are so many positive aspects of their lives.
Trauma-Informed Pedagogy
A student’s emotional and physiological conditions have a significant effect on their ability to learn. When a student is in a state of stress, they are not able to focus on learning as their brain is focused on surviving. In a video shared in the OneHE article, Mays Imad and Maha Bali discuss techniques students can use to put themselves in the optimum frame of mind for learning. For example, they may use relaxation techniques, practice empathy and compassion, and use strategies to prepare themselves for learning. Let students know that stress is a normal, biological state and that it’s ok if they are stressed. Sharing approaches students can use to overcome stress shows you are compassionate and want to support their success in your course. Compassion and empathy are key factors that foster a positive tone in your course. You can use the same techniques to put yourself in a positive mental state before you teach a class.
Check out the OneHE resource for more information on the activities highlighted here as well as other options for creating a positive tone in your courses.
