Student confidence in a learning community

We noticed students with low self-efficacy for science intensive content. Repeatedly, our first year students were reluctant to contribute to class discussions and these quiet classrooms were being reflected in high failure rates. We had an opportunity to redesign the core units and decided to situate the classroom as a learning community. We designed an environment of psychological safety with scaffolded learning and collaboration, that balances high expectations and accountability with strong support. A key mechanism of the learning community are student teams that we engineer for diversity. We redesigned learning with students at the center.

Series of steps

To create this engaging and connected learning environment:

	We spent significant time mapping out the course content, breaking it down into smaller, digestible chunks. We collaborated with educational designers to create effective learning materials and activities.
	We engineer cross-discipline teams of students that work together for the semester. The groups are intentionally diverse, including domestic and international students who may not usually interact with each other.
	We set high expectations for our students to complete pre-class work and hold them accountable as a group. We emphasise that they need to be prepared to engage in class activities.
	We repositioned ourselves as education facilitators rather than experts. We don’t hide our vulnerabilities as humans. We aim to be approachable and reduce communication barriers.
	We constantly talk with students about their experiences in the classroom. We are transparent with them about making ongoing adjustments to our teaching methods and materials.
	We engage in regular reflection on our teaching practices, writing weekly reports and discussing our observations. This helps us continuously improve and adapt our methods

We regularly observe students become more engaged in their learning. They actively participate in class activities, ask more questions, and demonstrate a deeper understanding of the material. Students have reported feeling more confident in their abilities and are less likely to leave blank answers on exams.  We have seen a significant decrease in failure rates, dropping from the typical 25-33% to consistently below 10%. This indicates that more students are successfully understanding and passing the course.

Having a genuine relationship with students makes you a better educator.

Set clear expectations
Clearly communicate your expectations to students from the outset. Encourage students to take ownership of their learning by letting them know what is required and why it is important. Implement measures to hold students accountable for participating in class activities.

Foster an inclusive environment
Create a learning environment that is supportive and inclusive, where students feel comfortable asking questions and participating with each other. Consider psychological safety in the classroom and remember what it felt like when you were beginning university.

Build a learning community
Design opportunities for students to meaningfully collaborate. Create diverse teams to foster a sense of community with students learning from and supporting each other. The sense of belonging and connection to others is likely to have an impact well beyond your classroom.

Seek feedback and adapt
Take the time to explain to students why you are using this approach and how it benefits their learning. Regularly gather student input about their experience and be willing to adapt your approach based and what works best for them. Write weekly reflections on your teaching practices and discuss your observations with colleagues. This helps you continuously improve and adapt your methods. Build a strong community of practice with other educators. Share your experiences and support each other through the process.

Don't be afraid to show vulnerability in front of your students—admit when you make mistakes, share your own learning journey, and remember what it felt like to be in their shoes as an undergraduate. Create a genuinely inclusive environment where every student feels safe to participate, take risks, and collaborate with their peers. Most importantly, commit to continuous improvement as an educator. Actively seek student feedback, reflect honestly on your teaching practices, and collaborate with colleagues who share your commitment to excellence.