The definition of classroom climate is the feeling that the classroom gives you; it can be "warm" and welcoming (i.e., you feel comfortable when you enter the class), or "cold" and not welcoming (i.e., you feel like an outsider).
Think about the undergraduate classes at this university that you have taken or are taking. What is the most welcoming class you have had so far? You can enter the name of the class or the department. Answer the following questions about that class--and that class only.
the past [Answer will trigger questions in the present tense or past tense respectively.]
How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
1 = Strongly disagree 2 = Disagree 3 = Agree 4 = Strongly agree
I feel welcomed in this class. (AR) (5d)
I often feel invisible in this class. (AR) (5g) (Feagin et al., 1996; Smith, Yosso, & Solórzano, 2007)
[If yes, ask follow-up "Is this good or bad? Please explain."] (AT) I am respected in this class. (AR) (5c)
My culture is respected in this class. (AR) (5c)
I am confident that everyone can understand me when I speak in class. (5f) (AR) Feel free to explain your answer(s).
The classroom environment is positive. (Zhang & Watkins, 2007) (2a) [changed "supportive and caring" to "positive"]
This class is academically challenging. (Irungu, 2010; Beck, 2008) (2a)
The size of this class (number of students) is beneficial for learning. (Beykont & Daiute, 2010) (2a) How often have you seen connections in this class to your own experience? (2b) (AT) 1 = Never 2 = Rarely/Not often 3 = Sometimes 4 = Frequently 5 = Not Appli-
cable
Readings
Films or YouTube videos Discussions
Lectures Other
Besides you, how many international students are in this class? None 1-2 3-4 5 or
more
[If 1-2, 3-4, or 5 or more, ask "Where are they from?" and then "Do they make the class- room climate better or worse?" Better Worse "Please explain." (Open-ended) (2d and 2a) (AR)
How often have you heard the students or teacher in this class express stereotypical views about: (6c) (UCUES uses a 6-point scale; doesn't include language/accent; separate ques- tion for students and teacher.)
Teacher Students
Race, ethnicity, or nationality Gender or sexual identity/orientation Political beliefs
Religion
Socio-economic status (social class) Immigration status
Physical, psychological, or learning disabilities
1 = Never 2 = Rarely/Not often 3 = Sometimes 4 = Frequently
Does the teacher in this class know your name? (UCUES) (3b) Is this important to you? Yes No
How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
1 = Strongly disagree 2 = Disagree 3 = Agree 4 = Strongly agree
The teacher is patient with international students. (Cortazzi & Jin, 1996) (3a) The teacher is friendly. (Cortazzi & Jin, 1996; Beck, 2008) (3a)
The teacher cares about the students and their learning. (Boesch, 2008) (3a) The teacher is available/accessible to the students. (Beck, 2008) (3b)
The teacher encourages the students to participate in class. (Liu, 2001) (3b) The teacher has a narrow-minded view of the world. (AR) (3a)
The teacher brings to class real-life, interesting examples to help student learning. (Beck, 2008) (3b) The teacher is fair in her/his grading. (Beck 2008) (3b)
The teacher is knowledgeable. (Cortazzi & Jin, 1996) (3b)
The teacher is an ethical role model (i.e., a good example of a moral person). (Cortazzi & Jin, 1996) (3a)
How often have you experienced the following in this class?
1 = Never 2 = Rarely/Not often 3 = Sometimes 4 = Frequently
The teacher asks you to share your international perspective with the class. (3b) (AR)
Is this important to you? Yes No
The teacher asks you to share your personal perspective with the class. (3b) (AT) Is this important to you? Yes No
You interact with the professor during a class lecture. (5f) (UCUES; Beck, 2008) [Follow-up for negative response: Do you want to interact more? Yes No ]
Is this important to you? Yes No
You have been ignored by the teacher in this class. (6a) (AR) [If yes, then follow-up: How did it make you feel? What did you do?] You have participated in a class discussion. (5f) (similar to NSSE 1a)
[Follow-up for negative response: Did you want to participate more?] Is this important to you? Yes No
You have been ignored by the American students in this class. (6a) (AR) [If yes, then follow-up: How did it make you feel? What did you do?]
How often are there class discussions?
1 = Never 2 = Rarely/Not often 3 = Sometimes 4 = Frequently
[If student chooses 3 or 4, then the following three questions: ]
1 = Strongly disagree 2 = Disagree 3 = Agree 4 = Strongly agree
The teacher directs the discussions well. (Beykont & Daiute, 2010) (3b)
The teacher shows interest in the international students' perspectives. (Beykont & Daiute, 2010) (3b)
The teacher listens carefully to all the students. (Beykont & Daiute, 2010) (3b) How would you describe your American classmates? (AR; Beykont & Daiute, 2010; Boesch, 2008; Hardy, 2012)
1 = Strongly disagree 2 = Disagree 3 = Agree 4 = Strongly agree
They are friendly. (1a) (VV, AR)
They have a narrow-minded view of the world. (1a) (VV, AR)
They listen carefully when international students speak in class. (1a) (VV, AR) They make a special effort to interact with me in class. (1b) (VV, AR)
They make me feel welcomed. (1a) (5d) Other:
How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
1 = Strongly disagree 2 = Disagree 3 = Agree 4 = Strongly agree
My American classmates are interested in learning about my culture. (Malcolm, 2011)
(1b)
My American classmates are patient when they hear my accent. (AR) (1b & pos- sibly 6b)
My American classmates are open to learning from other students in the class. (Beykont & Daiute, 2010) (1b)
Did you work on any group projects in this class? (Leki, 2001) (2b) If yes, Was it a positive or negative experience? Positive Negative
Explain. [Open-ended]
How does the environment/climate of this class compare with your other classes? (AR) (2a) Better Pretty much the same Worse
When you first came here, what were your general expectations about your classes? (AT) (4a) Positive Neutral Negative
Were those expectations met? In other words, what has disappointed you, and what has pleasantly surprised you? (AT) [Open-ended] (4b)
Part 3. Personal Information (~25 questions) Your age: 19 or younger (30)
20-23 24-29 30-39 40-50 Over 50
Your sex: Female Male (31)
What is your racial or ethnic identification? (AR) (33)
East Asian (e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese)
Southeast Asian (e.g., Thai, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Hmong, Filipino) South Asian (e.g., Indian, Pakistani, Nepalese, Sri Lankan)
Other Asian Black: African Black: Caribbean Black: Hispanic/Latino Black: Other
Black: Middle Eastern Brown: Hispanic/Latino Brown: Middle Eastern
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian White: European
White: Hispanic/Latino White: Middle Eastern Other
Do you identify as a Non-White or as White (Caucasian)? Non-White (34a)
White
How do you think Americans see you? As a White person (34b)
As a non-White person (Asian, Brown, Black, or Middle Eastern)
Do you identify as multiracial? Yes No (34c)
How many years have you studied here? <1 (35a)
1-2 3-4 5-6 ≥ 7
Did you study English as a Second Language here before starting your major classes? (36a)