Collaborative Decision-Making | Classroom Culture

Various tool types can be used to engage students in collaborative decision-making about the curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and homework, and classroom culture. Some of these tools require working with an individual student, some are better suited to small group work, and others are designed to promote whole class discussion. Whichever tool type you use, the benefits will redound to the entire class. Below we offer an example of each tool type for soliciting student voice on classroom culture, including a bonus small group tool.

A Class Ombuds can help you identify a student who can relay student concerns to you. A Critical Friends Protocol can help you engage in a discussion that allows the class to co-construct classroom norms and a positive classroom culture. Snowball Norms can help you use small groups to co-construct classroom norms and a positive classroom. Finally, a Restorative Justice Circle Involve the class in repairing harm after a violation of community norms.