To promote effective communication, consider the following:

• Personalize Interactions in Courses: Survey students about their preferred names, pronouns, and the phonetic pronunciation of their names to create an inclusive and respectful environment.
• Adhere to Grading and Feedback Timelines: Consistency in providing timely feedback helps students understand their progress and areas for improvement.  Clearly communicate response time expectations (e.g., feedback will be provided within 48 hours) to support student success.
• Promote Student Office Hours: Many students may feel intimidated about attending student office hours. To make them more approachable, provide a FAQ that explains what student office hours are, how to schedule them, what students can expect, and how they can benefit from attending. Consider offering alternatives, such as virtual meetings, to accommodate students with disabilities or off-campus obligations.
• Provide Tangible Materials During Student Office Hours: Encourage students to leave student office hours with something concrete, such as photos of whiteboard notes, faculty comments, or notes from the meeting to reinforce the discussion.
• Encourage Question-Asking: Normalize the asking of clarifying questions as an important part of the learning process. Creating a safe and brave space for students to admit when they do not understand something or wish to explore a point further.
• Support Struggling Students: Reach out to students who are facing challenges in the course and invite them to student office hours to discuss strategies for overcoming obstacles. Additionally, inform them about resources at Cerritos College that may assist with academic or personal issues.
• Conduct a Mid-Course Survey: Ask students midway through the course if they are facing any challenges with accessing materials or participating, allowing for timely interventions to improve their learning experience.
• Promote Peer Mentorship and Support: Encourage student-to-student learning by integrating peer/embedded tutors or mentorship programs into the course. Facilitating these connections enhances collaboration, fosters a sense of community, and supports student development.
• Share Your Educational Journey: Humanize the learning experience by sharing your own academic and professional journey, including both challenges and successes. This practice helps create a welcoming classroom environment and encourages students to engage, ask questions, and seek guidance.
• Ensure Easy Access to Student Resources: Provide clear links to essential campus services, such as academic support, mental health services, financial aid, and other student resources. Making these supports easily accessible reinforces a culture of care and helps students navigate challenges effectively.
• Use Inclusive Language and Communication Practices: Foster an equitable learning environment by using inclusive language that values all students. For example, refer to learners as “students” or “scholars” and avoid hierarchical language that may create barriers to engagement.
• Incorporate Multiple Communication Modes: Use a variety of communication methods (e.g., written messages, verbal announcements, videos) to ensure accessibility and accommodate different learning and cultural communication styles. This approach broadens student engagement and supports diverse learning preferences.
• Present Multiple Perspectives when Appropriate: Encourage critical thinking by presenting different perspectives on complex issues. Providing a balanced discussion allows students to engage with diverse viewpoints, evaluate evidence, and develop their own informed opinions.
• Acknowledge and Reflect on Personal Biases: Foster transparency and intellectual honesty by acknowledging your own perspectives when relevant. Encouraging self-awareness in both instructors and students helps create an open, respectful learning environment where diverse opinions can be explored thoughtfully.