Fostering a Sense of Belonging Create safer and more welcoming spaces for learning. Sense of belonging describes a student’s perception that they are accepted, respected, and supported. This requires an inclusive learning environment, which professors can create in their classroom while also acknowledging the greater sense of alienation students may be experiencing within the larger institution. If a learning environment is alienating, students’ overall well-being – and, as a result, often learning outcomes – are negatively impacted. This is especially the case for students who are impacted by systemic marginalization, which means that creating a safe, inclusive environment where students feel they belong is key to supporting student learning. Key Dimensions ofFostering a Sense of Belonging Positive representation of students’ identities Professors work to ensure that students’ diverse identities are not only acknowledged, but are also positively represented in the learning materials, curriculum, and course discussions. Students see themselves reflected in the content, which fosters a sense of belonging by validating their identities and experiences. Inclusive practices and norms Professors have clear expectations, practice active listening, encourage peer support and collaboration, address exclusionary classroom practices, and ensure consistency in course policies. These efforts create an inclusive and respectful learning environment that enhances students’ sense of belonging and well-being. Strength-based pedagogies Professors recognize and build upon the strengths, experiences, and unique qualities of their students. By employing pedagogical approaches that focus on students’ strengths, professors create a classroom environment where students feel valued and empowered to contribute their individual assets to the learning process. Instructional Examples & Submissions Instructional Examples The Instructional Example Library features a wide range of digitally enabled examples sourced directly from instructors who are using technology to implement evidence-based teaching practices in their courses. These examples focus primarily on math, chemistry, and statistics gateway courses, but are applicable across disciplines. Visit the Instructional Example Library Have an Example of Your Own? Help us build our Instructional Example Library! We are looking for contributions from higher education instructors across disciplines who use technology to enable evidence-based teaching practices. To learn more and to submit an example, please visit the form page linked below. Thank you for helping us support the field. Submit an Example Further Reading Incorporating Culturally Relevant Education (CRE) in STEM Gateway Courses provides a synthesis of the literature related to CRE, discusses how CRE applies to the teaching of STEM gateway courses, and presents a framework and recommendations for future course design. In the video “Rehumanizing Mathematics: A Vision for the Future,” Rochelle Gutiérrez speaks about rehumanizing mathematics education by prioritizing students’ sense of belonging through curriculum design and pedagogical decisions. The NYU Metro Center developed a Culturally Responsive STEAM Curriculum Scorecard that stakeholder teams can use to assess the cultural responsiveness of course curriculum, including the degree to which diverse identities are represented and accurately portrayed. Explore Another Practice Active Learning Decrease professor lecture time and increase student participation in learning. Learn More Assessing & Activating Prior Knowledge Determine what students already know and integrate their experiences into learning. Learn More Data-Informed Instruction Adjust instruction based on real-time student data Learn More Formative Assessment & Practice Deploy a frequent, low-stakes way to monitor student learning. Learn More Instructional Transparency Share the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind instructional decisions. Learn More Metacognition & Self-Regulated Learning Help students learn how to learn. Learn More Peer Collaboration Create opportunities for students to support each other’s learning. Learn More
