Final answer:
The guiding principle to create a respectful learning community is 'Create a sense of belonging and respect,' which helps build positive relationships and an inclusive atmosphere. Teachers can maintain social control by communicating expectations for mutual respect, and engaging students in the learning process through positive reinforcement rather than strict discipline or punishment. The correct answer is option c. Create a sense of belonging and respect.
Step-by-step explanation:
To create a respectful learning community in the classroom, the guiding principle is c. Create a sense of belonging and respect. This approach focuses on building positive relationships, which helps maintain better social control inside the classroom. Instead of relying solely on strict rules or harsh punishments, it's more effective to create an environment where students feel valued and connected to one another.
For instance, when a professor asks a student to turn off their cell phone out of respect for others, they are leveraging social control by setting expectations for behavior that is conducive to a positive learning atmosphere. This aligns with conflict theory, where imposing strict rules might unintentionally perpetuate divisions, rather than fostering a community based on mutual respect.
Emphasizing core values like respect for authority and creating personal relationships with students can prevent or address collective action problems, such as disruptions in class.
The principle of creating a learning community based on respect and belonging also draws from adult education methods that emphasize critical reflection and engagement, which is in sharp contrast to more punitive or persuasion-based approaches. These values of positive regard and involving all members of the community in the process are crucial for creating an inclusive educational setting.