Verona always makes sure everyone has a name card and arranges the seating in a café style (see below) to facilitate student engagement in seminars and improve their sense of belonging.

Teaching area

Seminar delivery and design

Course

LLB Law, Level 4 core modules; across all seminar teaching

Description

My approach to seminar teaching is focused on building an enabling environment. In that respect I consider how to ensure students are ‘seen’ and supported to engage and participate in a non-intimidating way. In every seminar (all my small-group teaching), I ensure to do two things:

• Use name cards
• Set up every classroom space in a café style.

Say my name

Why the name cards? Because everyone should be addressed by name. Here, the work of Jane Bryan on ‘Say My Name’ is useful and informative.

Café-style teaching environment

I also believe that a café-style teaching environment helps with relationality and connection (see Relational Pedagogies, Gravett 2023). It also allows me, as the teacher, to move around the room, checking in on small groups of students. Then I get a much better sense of the understanding and learning of all students, not just those who already have the confidence and social capital to participate and contribute.

Outcomes

Student engagement and fostering sense of belonging

I firmly believe these practices are essential for connection, mattering and relationality (Gravett 2023). Learning happens when students have a voice, and feel they matter and belong.

References

Gravett, K. (2023) Relational Pedagogies: Connections and Mattering in Higher Education, London: Bloomsbury Academic