This activity engages students in generating a list of two to five mutually agreed-upon behaviors that promote learning. Write norms as specific, positive behaviors students/learners want from each other.
Community Norm Building
| Individual / Group Activity: | Group |
| Class Size: | Small (<25), Medium (25-50), & Large (51-200) |
| Bloom’s Taxonomy Level: | Understand |
| Development Initial: | Transitional Knowing |
| Minimum Time to Facilitate: | <15 Minutes |
| Minimum Time to Debrief: | <15 Minutes |
| PDFs: | Here |
Discipline-Specific Examples 
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
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Humanities
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Social Sciences
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Co-Curricular
(experiences outside of the formal classroom but contribute to student learning)
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Universal Design for Active Learning
Universal Design for Active Learning
UDL and active learning share a common goal: centering all students in the learning experience. When designing an activity, UDL‑informed instructors consider how the activity could be open to all students while preserving the core learning goal.
Timing & Pacing
Allow adequate think time before contributing. Avoid moving so quickly that only the fastest responders shape the norms.
Social Interaction
Allow verbal or written contributions so participation is not limited to those comfortable speaking aloud.
Information Accessibility
Share finalized norms in writing so all students can reference them throughout the course.
Ways to Participate/Express
Allow contribution through speaking, writing, or anonymous submission before the group discussion.
Online Adaptations
Coming Soon!
Additional Resources
Bennett, C. A. (2014). Creating cultures of participation to promote mathematical discourse: This article examines strategies for increasing engaged student learning in math classes by ensuring classroom norms that invite active learning from all students. Middle School Journal, 46(2), 20-25: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00940771.2014.11461906?casa_token=6i8pFs9dVJAAAAAA:i5qngkIxdHViRAloeTb-fcSKij5bjHD6nh621U7jNcYcST9sBSFDMi70FTMKHHJQindTlYOfQ84
Bayoumi, K., Ramli, N., Ebrahimi, M., Rosman, A. S., & Khan, A. (2022). The impact of building community and digital skills on students’ online active learning experience during COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 6(3), 2133-2149: https://www.journalppw.com/index.php/jpsp/article/view/1929
Taylor, D. W., Jones, O., & Boles, K. (2004). Building social capital through action learning: an insight into the entrepreneur. Education+ training, 46(5), 226-235: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/00400910410549805/full/html?casa_token=0wokfGDfRQYAAAAA:3HEmbvi053mC8KI1GVBLC0GJ169JvSfjywBXP5CLfUXGo1I4G-KFQqtJg6DLw-eEpOdjz4HLma1LesySOIx-Ep6mHRJSuCInZE7fleniZye137t2Ng
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