Creating a Learner-centered Syllabus
Writing Effective Discussion Guidelines
To promote more inclusive and respectful discussions, we recommend sharing guidelines for class interactions with your students. Develop and distribute discussion guidelines to create a baseline for mutual respect and a civil tone. This approach will help students feel welcomed and promote learner engagement.
What should discussion guidelines include?
Consider posting guidelines for interactions at the start of a class or at the beginning of active learning approaches, such as a small group discussion. Include the following statements in your discussion guidelines, which encourage students to:
💬 Actively contribute to in-class discussions
🗣️ Allow everyone a chance to speak
👂 Listen respectfully and actively
🙋 Speak from your own experiences
💡 Critique ideas, not individuals
🤝 Avoid blame, speculation, and inflammatory language
🧩 Avoid assumptions about others, especially based on their perceived social group
How to Introduce Discussion Guidelines
There are several ways to introduce guidelines for class discussion. When planning your course, guidelines can be incorporated into the syllabus. Outline your expectations for discussions in the syllabus, including expectations for student behavior and how participation will be assessed. Set a tone for conduct with discussion guidelines, and reference those on the first day of class, returning to the guidelines as needed throughout the semester (Eberly Center at Carnegie Mellon University). Ask students to review the discussion guidelines, identify and discuss needed changes or additions, and then accept the (possibly modified) guidelines. This prepares students to engage in discussion with an agreed upon set of expectations.
Here are some additional considerations when writing your discussion guidelines:
Lengthy guidelines are unlikely to be read as carefully as briefer guidelines.
The “tone” of the guidelines is important. Those written positively set a welcoming tone and invite all students to engage cooperatively and productively with one another.
Guidelines that encourage active listening help your students understand the importance of listening carefully to others and taking turns speaking.
Consider gathering student input to modify and strengthen your discussion guidelines.
Example: Inclusive Classroom Discussion Guidelines
💬 Contribute to in-class discussions: Try not to silence yourself out of concern for what others will think about what you say. If you have a tendency to contribute often, give others the opportunity to speak. If you tend to stay quiet, challenge yourself to share ideas so others can learn from you.
🤝 Engage in collaborative learning: Remember that your peers’ learning partly depends on your level of engagement. Reflect on how your learning has been impacted by your peers. Ask yourself “What did I learn from someone else today?” Be open to changing your mind, and make space for others to do so as well.
👂 Listen respectfully: Please do not interrupt, engage in private conversations, or turn to technology while other students and class guests are speaking. Use attentive, courteous body language.
🗣️ Speak from your own experiences: When it’s your turn to speak, share briefly from your own experiences, using “I” statements, incorporating others’ comments, acknowledging disagreements.
🌱 Be careful not to generalize about people or experiences.
🧩 Understand there are different approaches to solving problems: If you are uncertain about someone else’s approach, ask a question to explore areas of uncertainty. Listen respectfully to how and why the approach worked. Support your statements with evidence and rationale. You may critique the idea, but not the person.
🪞 Reflect on your own beliefs about teaching to maximize self-awareness and commitment to inclusion.
This example was adapted from the Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning’s Guide for Inclusive Teaching and General Discussion Guidelines.
For more information about fostering class discussions, see LILE’s Inclusive Teaching Quick Start Guide and Ideas for Great Class Discussions.