S4 E38: Creating Human-Centered Classrooms

And so some of the things that we've discussed have been creating a classroom culture on how we construct that student instructor relationship and hopefully see each other on both sides as real people.

So as we do that, any other thoughts or any other insights that you would like to share that we haven't discussed so far?

I just wanted to add on to what you were talking about, the process and the product.

One thing I really enjoy about our program here at GMU is we really do emphasize process over product.

And I think that does help with, you know, process is very human in itself because we're constantly evolving

and

constantly trying to improve.

And I think that is more important than creating something perfect.

And so students, tend to worry, especially students who don't consider themselves great writers.

I always have students come in and they say, I stink at writing.

And I say, I doubt that's true.

So creating a process over a product is pretty humanizing in itself.

Instead of students coming in and saying that I need to create the perfect product in order to get an A, If we show them that they can get that grade in a way that's process-based, then they will not be as inclined to use AI to create that kind of product or that perfect product.

So it's more about improving.

And really that's something that as human beings, I think is beneficial in general, not just in academia, but we all want to be better people, right?

Yeah, I think that's such a great point because especially students coming from certain disciplines, there are disciplines that there are generally classes where there are just right and wrong answers and more product oriented.

But even in those fields, we have, well, how did you get there? What are the thought processes and all that? And so even showing how we enact that in many different disciplines, you know, what the thought processes are, how do we build that? What goes into this is not just everything is easy.

yes or no right or wrong i think is a great point there

and my final note is it is important to build the connection in classroom with students right but one cannot draw from an empty will so please take care of yourself both mentally and physically before you can give and nurture students

Yeah, absolutely.

Yeah, exactly.

It's like the metaphor, if you're on a plane and there's an emergency and the oxygen masks come down, you have to put the mask over yourself before you can take care of others.

So maintaining your own well mental health and physical health and emotional health is really important.

And if students see that you're taking care of it and that you're focused on that, maybe they'll start focusing on their own health and their own choices.

And I think becoming a role model is really important.