Teaching Tips Spotlight on Teaching Circles in the Classroom - Tip #3
To celebrate National Indigenous History Month, here鈥檚 a tip for instructors on how to incorporate the concept of talking circles into their classrooms.
Talking Circles Teaching Tip Week #3: Design circles around learning challenges
Spotlight:
In a Talking Circle, the format itself encourages thoughtful listening and intentional sharing. The circle structure reduces performance pressure and fosters a sense of collective care in classroom dialogue.
Talking Circles are not only for cultural dialogue鈥攖hey are pedagogical tools for surfacing learning needs. Inviting students to name their learning struggles in a Circle supports vulnerability and connection and can guide your next teaching moves in meaningful ways.
Why it matters:
Talking Circles can surface students鈥� emotional and cognitive struggles with course material in a low-pressure way that encourages mutual support.
Try this:
Facilitate a circle with questions like:
- What鈥檚 been hardest to grasp in this unit?
- What鈥檚 helped you overcome a past learning barrier?
Reflective question:
When students name their challenges out loud, how might that impact their confidence and sense of community?
See all the tips and additional resources here -
