POWER

DYNAMICS
IN THE
CLASSROOM
Diversity in Teaching & Learning
Jennifer Kellett & Lisa Robinson
 Learning 1. Review the concept of Power in the
Classroom and the impact on student-
Objectives teacher dynamic
2. Identify the 5 types of Power and their
influence in the classroom
3. Develop recommendations for minimizing
power differentials in teaching & learning
4. Deconstruct a case study to apply principles
of power used in academic settings
5. Identify resources available to professors
and students when faced with power issues
in the classroom
Have you
ever…?
Teacher Power
• Teacher Power is displayed when a teacher communicates in ways
that influence students to achieve desired individual and class goals?
– Reward power—Students learn quickly that teachers can give them rewards

– Coercive power—Students also learn that teachers can punish.

– Legitimate power—Students expect teachers to have some authority over them.

– Referent power—Students actively participate because students admire the

teacher.

– Expert power—This power comes from the teacher’s knowledge of content and/or
expertise as an educator.
Teacher Power
Using your assigned power…
I. Create a description of how your power is
displayed in the classroom (give examples)
II. Consider how this is displayed in curriculum
development, delivery and assessment /
evaluation strategies
III. In what ways can we minimize power
differentials in classrooms?
IV. Is your type of Power a Bad Thing?
Questions to Consider:
• Identify the different forms of power in this audio clip?
• How could the outcome have been altered?
• If you were the professor how would you have handled the situation to minimize
the power struggle in this scenario?
Resources for Professors
Internal & External Resources Student Resources
• CAFÉ (Invitational Teaching Course) • Code of Conduct
• Code of Conduct • Advocacy and advisory support
• Administrators / Co-ordinators • Diversity events and activities
• Student Advisor • Harassment and discrimination investigations
• Mediation Program • Information and referral services
• Employee Assistance Program • Mediation
• OPSEU / Lawyer • Student Advisor
• Human Resources • Wellness Centre / ASC
• Campus Security
 Reflective
Questions &
From what you have learned today is there

Take Home
anything you would change to minimize power
differentials in the classroom?

Messages?