21st. CENTURY EDUCATION-"TEACHERS OUT, LEARNERS IN" TEACHERS OUT LEARNERS IN BOOKLET | Page 76

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 One factor that will strongly influence student participation in class discussions is the classroom climate.
Your goal as a teacher will be to foster a classroom climate in which students feel free to contribute and
debate ideas. Students will be more likely to participate in class activities if they perceive the classroom
environment as friendly rather than evaluative, and suggests allowing time during the first class meeting
for students to introduce themselves, their interests, and backgrounds.2 Arranging desks in a circle or
semi-circle so that students can make eye contact with each other as they contribute to class discussions is
also important. If you want more information about how to establish a positive classroom climate in your
pedagogy course, consider some of the tips in the Classroom Climate.