Post 495: How To Promote Psychological Safety In the Online Classroom

 

Learning online can be isolating. To promote student interaction, it is essential to establish a welcoming environment right away to encourage the student to participate in the online class. Psychological Safety is an important component of getting the student to bond with the teacher and succeed in the online classroom. When students feel safe to say whatever they want, they are more willing to take risks, and they are more creative. To promote an atmosphere of Psychological Safety in the online classroom, I do the following:

A) I foster a culture of respect, openness, and inclusion by encouraging my students to agree to disagree. I allow all my students to say how they feel when we interact in the forums.

B) I actively listen to the students when I reach out to the students during 1st week by calling all my students on the phone and I listen to their needs and ascertain what areas of improvement they need to make in their writing.

C) Besides the telephone, I also actively listen to students when I reply to student emails right away to show that I care. It is showing that you care and making students aware that you care for me is the most important component to getting students to trust the teacher.

D) I create a growth mindset in the classroom. I give constructive criticism to my teacher feedback that shows students areas of improvement in their writing. I teach students for instance the proper way to write a thesis statement and if a student gets a low grade, I call them on the phone and tell them how they can improve their grade and I tell the student not to get bummed out by the low grade because if they follow my feedback advice, they will be guaranteed a better grade. The trick is to not have the student give up just because of a low grade. It is all about getting better and having a growth mindset.

E) I encourage questions and open discussions in the forums. I relate the core concepts of the class to the real world. As I told Gordon recently about a student who got promoted in her job because her boss noticed a vast improvement in her writing and communication skills. The student was thrilled that she could apply what she learned in her ENGL 101 class to get promoted and get a raise in her job.

F)  I teach students to value diverse perspectives by encouraging students to learn about different cultures and to get out of their comfort zone.

G) Most importantly, I build trust with my students by creating a sense of not just Psychological Safety, but I also develop a sense of belonging in that classroom.  Building Psychological safety in the classroom promotes learning, creativity, and trust. 

For me, the most rewarding aspect of teaching is the bond between student and teacher and the feeling that I've made a positive difference in a student's life.

Post 494: Psychological Safety in the Classroom

 

 

 

 Psychological safety is a crucial component of a positive work and educational environment, as it plays a significant role in enhancing creativity, innovation, and collaboration among individuals. When people feel psychologically safe, they are more likely to share their ideas, thoughts, and opinions with their colleagues, supervisors, or teachers, which fosters a culture of open communication and trust.

Without psychological safety, people may hesitate to express themselves, fearing judgment or negative consequences, such as ridicule or criticism. This could lead to a lack of participation, stifle creativity, and limit the exchange of ideas and feedback, ultimately hindering productivity and progress.

In contrast, when people feel psychologically safe, they are more likely to take risks, experiment with new ideas, and provide honest feedback, which can lead to improved outcomes and solutions. It also allows individuals to learn from their mistakes and to take ownership of their work, fostering a growth mindset and promoting personal development.

Psychological safety is especially important in educational settings, where students may feel hesitant to ask questions or share their ideas in fear of being judged or ridiculed by their peers or teachers. Teachers and educators can create a psychologically safe classroom environment by fostering a culture of respect, openness, and inclusion. This can be achieved by actively listening to students, providing constructive feedback, encouraging questions and discussions, and valuing diverse perspectives.

Creating a psychologically safe classroom environment is essential for the academic and personal success of students. It allows students to feel comfortable enough to ask questions, make mistakes, and share their ideas without the fear of being judged or ridiculed. When students feel psychologically safe, they are more likely to engage in their learning, participate in class discussions, and contribute to group projects.

Teachers and educators can take several steps to foster a psychologically safe classroom environment. One of the most crucial steps is actively listening to students. By actively listening to students, teachers can better understand their thoughts, feelings, and concerns, which helps to build trust and rapport. Active listening involves paying attention to what students say, summarizing their statements, and asking clarifying questions to show that their ideas are valued.

Providing constructive feedback is another critical aspect of creating a psychologically safe classroom environment. Teachers should provide feedback that is specific, actionable, and focused on improvement. Feedback should be delivered in a respectful and positive manner, with a focus on the process of learning rather than just the outcome.

Encouraging questions and discussions is also crucial in creating a psychologically safe classroom environment. Teachers should actively encourage students to ask questions, share their opinions, and engage in discussions. By doing so, teachers demonstrate that they value the perspectives and ideas of all students, regardless of their background or experiences.

Valuing diverse perspectives is another important aspect of creating a psychologically safe classroom environment. Teachers should acknowledge and celebrate the diversity of their students and promote an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. This includes being aware of and addressing any potential biases or microaggressions that may occur in the classroom.

In conclusion, creating a psychologically safe classroom environment is essential for student success. Teachers and educators can foster a culture of respect, openness, and inclusion by actively listening to students, providing constructive feedback, encouraging questions and discussions, and valuing diverse perspectives. By doing so, teachers can create an environment where all students feel comfortable sharing their ideas and engaging in their learning.