Is It Hot in Here? Creating a Positive Learning Climate David Irby, PhD Patricia O’Sullivan, EdD UCSF Research and Development in Medical Education

Preview Define learning climate Practice key strategies for creating a positive learning climate –Enthusiasm –Respect –Humility –Support 2

Definition of Learning Climate Learning climate describes the feeling tone or relational atmosphere of a work group that stimulates and supports the learner’s participation. Learning climate is set by the teacher and the team. –Do the learners want to be there? –Is it stimulating and challenging? –Is it welcoming? –Is it supportive and safe to admit limitations and seek help? 3

Question Think of a time when you were excited to be in a teaching session. Why? What happened? What did the teacher do? Pair-Share Report 4

Create a Positive Learning Climate Learning Climate Enthusiasm Respect Humility Support 5

1. Demonstrate Enthusiasm Strategies 6 Enthusiasm

2. Demonstrate respect, create welcoming relationships and value diversity Strategies –Demonstrate respect –Create welcoming relationships –Value diversity for all 7 Respect

Practice # 1: Enthusiasm & Welcome Setting: You are meeting your team for the first time. Practice greeting your new team or learners making sure to convey enthusiasm, welcome and respect Assignment: In a small group: –Each person practices greeting the team and helping to develop positive relationships. –Observers provide suggestions and capture good phrases. 8

3. Model Humility in Inquiry and Coaching Strategies –Acknowledge learner insecurities, fear of harming patients, knowing when and how to ask for help –Admit your own errors or limitations, model reflection 9 Humility

Practice # 2: Model Humility in Inquiry and Coaching Setting: In your orientation, you encouraged learners to ask questions and you modeled humility. Later you discover that the students are reluctant to asks questions, especially about their insecurities. Assignment: In your small group, share what you would say to: –Encourage more questions –Describe an error or mistake you made –On the form, write key phrases that you will use 10

4. Offer Support for Active Participation Strategies –Clarify roles, responsibilities, expectations & sequence –Create time and space for learning and reflection –Balance challenge with support and feedback 11 Support

Support and Challenge 12 Support Challenge

Create a Positive Learning Climate Learning Climate Enthusiasm Respect Humility Support 13

Creating a Positive Learning Climate 1.Express ENTHUSIASM for teaching and patient care/content 2.Demonstrate RESPECT, create welcoming relationships and value diversity 3.Model HUMILITY in Inquiry and Coaching –Acknowledge learner insecurities, fear of harming patients, knowing when and how to ask for help –Admit your own errors or limitations, model reflection 4.Offer SUPPORT for active participation –Clarify roles, responsibilities, expectations & sequence –Create time and space for learning and reflection –Balance challenge with support and feedback 14

Reflection What will you do differently? Complete evaluation 15

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