Shared Learning Environment Expectations

DGSOM Classroom

Purpose

  • To provide guidelines and expectations regarding the delivery of lectures, active learning sessions and related educational content in the DGSOM HEALS curriculum, as well as the expectations for participation, engagement and performance by faculty and students to support a healthy, effective and inclusive learning environment.

LCME Standard

  • 3.5 Learning Environment/Professionalism
  • 6.3 Self-Directed Learning

Expectations and Guidelines

  1. Course Delivery
    1. Learning Environment
      Course Directors should promote successful learning habits and an effective and inclusive learning environment.
    2. Timely Submission of Materials
      Faculty must submit finalized course materials to the Curricular Affairs Office at least two Fridays prior to the week of their scheduled session(s).
    3. Material Distribution
      All course materials must be uploaded to the appropriate Learning Management System (LMS). Materials should not be shared outside of the DGSOM learning community and/or for any purpose other than education without permission of faculty.
    4. Attendance and Participation
      Faculty may require student attendance and engagement in active learning sessions in accordance with the UCLA Student Conduct Code and the DGSOM Attendance Policy.
  2. Course Participation
    Student attendance is required for all active small- and large-group learning sessions, as outlined in the relevant attendance and conduct policies, unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus. Active participation in learning sessions helps support a vibrant, engaged and effective learning environment. Learning environment is created in partnership with students and faculty. Students should bring their UID badge to all educational activities.
  3. Lecture Expectations
    1. Learning Objectives 
      Learning objectives, stated as active, measurable outcomes, should be included at the start of each lecture. (Examples of how to develop learning objectives in this format are available through this resource).
    2. Advanced Access to Students 
      Materials need to be made accessible to students the Friday of the week prior to any associated active learning session or assessment. (Example: For a Wednesday session, the material must be available to students by the Friday before the session.)
    3. Interactive Format 
      Synchronous lectures are encouraged to include audience response tools and other methods of active learner engagement to promote engagement (Examples of how to engage students with active learning are available through this resource).
    4. Recordings 
      Recordings of synchronous lectures and other live events, when identified in advance as being recorded, must be captioned and posted within 3 business days of the session. In most cases, recordings will made available within 24 hours of the session. Unauthorized private recordings of the learning space are prohibited per UCLA Student Code of Conduct, DGSOM Professionalism Policy and CA law.
    5. Supporting Materials  
      Materials (e.g., PowerPoint presentations, handouts, articles, documents, etc.), when applicable, are provided as an accompaniment to lectures. Faculty must credit or obtain permission for any copyrighted images. Unauthorized images should not be included.
    6. Archived Lectures 
      Archived lectures from prior years will only be made available to students at faculty request.
    7. Content Sharing 
      Materials may not be shared outside the DGSOM learning community or with future student cohorts without faculty permission, per the Course Materials Copyright Agreement.
  4. Active Learning Sessions
    1. Purpose 
      Active learning sessions are intended to develop and strengthen student communication and collaboration skills, recognizing that effective teamwork is essential to high-quality medical care and a key goal of the medical education curriculum.
    2. Learning Objectives 
      Learning objectives, stated as active, measurable outcomes, should be to be included at the start of each session. (Examples of how to develop learning objectives in this format are available through this resource).
    3. Professional Conduct 
      Students are expected to arrive on time, stay for the full session, and remain focused on the session content.
    4. Group Participation 
      All students are expected to contribute and engaged respectfully with group discussions. Small group members are expected to be inclusive in their behaviors and communication and to treat one another with respect.
    5. Remote Participation 
      Participation using remote technology is not permitted unless specified by the course directors.
    6. Screen Use and Note-Taking During Active Learning Sessions 
      We require students to avoid using personal electronic devices (including phones, tablets, and laptops) during sessions involving vulnerable conversations or patient interactions—whether live or recorded—unless explicitly authorized by the session facilitator. These sessions will be denoted on the Learning Management System (LMS) whenever possible though occasionally students will be asked to put away electronics in real time. Students are expected to be fully present, engaged, and to uphold the dignity and privacy of all individuals involved. The avoidance of electronics will help support an appropriate and respectful learning environment for sensitive topics
      Note-taking is permitted during active learning exercises for personal academic use. At the discretion of the Course Directors, session summaries or key takeaways may be provided to reinforce learning and support academic success.
    7. Confidentiality 
      Active learning materials may not be shared outside the DGSOM learning community or with other cohorts without express faculty permission, per the Course Materials Copyright Agreement.
  5. Personal Recording Policy
    1. Recording educators or classroom activities using personal devices is strictly prohibited without prior written consent.
  6. Course Assignments
    1. All assignments and formative assessments are due by 11:59 p.m. on the due date.
    2. If materials are not posted 3 business days before the due date, students will receive a 3-day extension for assignment completion.
    3. In Phase 1, assignments must comply with the Pre-Clerkship Workload Policy. Faculty must assign reasonable reading loads with clear learning objectives.
  7. Required Supplemental Learning Materials
    1. Courses may assign required supplemental materials (e.g., textbooks, guides, podcasts) for either before or after scheduled synchronous sessions.
    2. Optional materials do not require objectives and are not subject to the workload policy.
  8. Self-Directed Learning (SDL) Activities
    SDL activities promote student ownership of learning with faculty guidance. Each SDL activity must include:
    1. Self-assessment of learning needs
    2. Independent identification, analysis, and synthesis of relevant information
    3. Independent and facilitator appraisal of the credibility of information sources
    4. Assessment and feedback on information-seeking skills
  9. Announcements in the Classroom
    1. All announcements made during classroom sessions must be relevant to medicine, medical education, or institutional activities at DGSOM or UCLA.
    2. Requests to make announcements must be submitted in advance to the Curricular Affairs Office for review and approval.
    3. All general announcements should be made at the conclusion of scheduled educational activities for each morning and afternoon session to preserve instructional time.
    4. Unapproved announcements or those unrelated to the educational mission of the David Geffen School of Medicine are not permitted during instructional time.

Procedures

  1. Faculty Expectations
    Faculty not abiding by the Classroom Expectations will be considered in violation of their Roles and Responsibilities and be referred to the relevant Course Chair or Associate/Assistant Dean of Curriculum for consultation and feedback. Recurring violations after feedback and consultation with the involved faculty may lead to removal from their educator role.
  2. Student Expectations
    Students who violate Classroom Expectations will be subject to the Professionalism Policy and its procedures for addressing professionalism lapses.
  3. Presenter Attestation Requirement
    All educators and guest presenters must sign an Annual Attestation confirming their understanding and agreement to follow DGSOM policies and Teacher-Learner Expectations in medical education.
  4. Presenter Material Submission Deadline
    Educational materials must be submitted to the Curricular Affairs Office by two Fridays prior to the week of the scheduled session(s).
    1. If not submitted on time, prior-year materials will be posted.
    2. If no materials are available, the session will be canceled.
      1. An exception to this deadline is the “Connect the Dots” review sessions, which may be submitted on the day prior to the scheduled session, provided that prior notification has been given to the Curricular Affairs Office. This flexibility ensures that educators have adequate time to review the week's content and synthesize connections across sessions and independent study modules. The Curricular Affairs Office retains the authority to set submission deadlines as needed to support operational requirements and ensure timely access to materials for students. 

Responsibility and References

  1. RESPONSIBILITY 
    Course Directors 
    Course Core Educators 
    Invited Guest Educators 
    Curricular Affairs Office
    DGSOM Medical Students
  2. REFERENCES
  3. OWNER 
    Vice Dean of Medical Education
  4. REVIEWED BY 
    Curricular Affairs Office 
    Student Affairs Office 
    Pre-Clerkship Curriculum Committee 
    Medical Education Committee
  5. REVIEWED DATE and REVIEW CYCLE 
    August 2025, 3-Year review cycle