Try This!: Sense of Belonging in Education

[EllieC]

Welcome to "Try This!", a weekly blog series where we share valuable insights and practical ideas on various educational topics. Our goal is to provide educators with fresh perspectives and innovative approaches that can be implemented your classrooms.

This week, we’ve rounded up five resources on Sense of Belonging in Education. Check them out below:

1. 5 Components of Student Belonging

Students' sense of belonging on campus is crucial for their retention and persistence. EAB has identified five specific components of student belonging, each backed by best practices that leaders can implement. These components help foster connections and engagement, ensuring students feel integrated into the university community. Access the infographic

2. Unlocking Historically Marginalized College Student Success

This whitepaper identifies interventions that foster a sense of belonging and build metacognition among historically marginalized college students. The findings offer practical recommendations for educators to design inclusive educational products and services that improve postsecondary success outcomes for these students. Read the full whitepaper

3. Enhancing a Sense of Belonging in Your Classroom

Indiana University's Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning provides a comprehensive guide on fostering a sense of belonging in classes, particularly in online learning environments. This resource offers actionable strategies for creating opportunities for student-instructor communication, facilitating student success, and building a virtual community. Read the full article

4. Sense of Belonging in College Settings

Explore how students understand their role and social fit within college environments. It emphasizes the importance of both social and academic interactions in enhancing students' sense of belonging. Key strategies include fostering diverse peer interactions, offering strong faculty support, and creating an inclusive campus environment. Access the full one-pager

5. The Science of Belonging and Connection

Stanford psychologist Geoffrey Cohen discusses the science behind belonging and connection in educational settings. This article explores research-backed strategies that educators can deploy to enhance students' sense of belonging and improve academic success. Read the full article

We'd love to hear your thoughts on fostering a sense of belonging in education. How do you create inclusive environments in your own classrooms? Share your experiences and ideas in the comments below.

Don't miss out on the upcoming webinar, "Not as Soft as You Think: The Hard Facts about the Impact of Student Sense of Belonging and Concrete Tools You Can Use Now" on September 17th to delve deeper into cultivating a sense of belonging in education. Register today!