Inspire Blog Tag: belonging

Belonging, Fun and Scaffolding in Introductory College Math Course

MTH 112Z at Oregon State University is designed to prepare students for calculus and related disciplines. This course explores trigonometric functions and their applications as well as the language and measurement of angles, triangles, circles, and vectors. These topics are explored symbolically, numerically, and graphically in real-life applications. MTH 112Z is designated as a Common Course Numbering (CCN) in the state of Oregon, ending with “Z” in the course number. When transferring to an Oregon public college or university, “CCN courses will be accepted as if they were taken at the institution students transfer to (that is, the receiving institution)” (State of Oregon, 2023). An instructor from the math department and Tianhong Shi from Ecampus collaborated in designing a brand-new … Belonging, Fun and Scaffolding in Introductory College Math Course
by · November 25, 2024

Behind the Buzzword: Creating Belonging for Online Students (part 2 of 2)

What can we do to help? Oregon State University has prioritized diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and it is up to us as educators and those who support teaching and learning to actively co-create a culture that promotes tolerance and inclusion, for our students, our staff, and our community. To do this, we must challenge exclusion and commit to inclusive practices that promote real equity and extend opportunity to all students. University staff and instructors may be intentionally or unintentionally signaling their institution’s, their department’s, or their own levels of inclusion by the policies, rules, statements, systems, symbols, and representations they choose and use, so it is important to reassess what messages we are sending to students. While students may … Behind the Buzzword: Creating Belonging for Online Students (part 2 of 2)
by · January 22, 2024

Behind the Buzzword: Creating Belonging for Online Students (part 1 of 2)

“Belonging is a universal human need that is fundamentally linked to learning and well-being. It describes an individual’s experience of feeling that they are, or are likely to be, accepted and respected as a valued contributor in a specific environment.”            Structures for Belonging: A Synthesis of Research on Belonging-Supportive Learning Environments Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a helpful framework when discussing belonging, which falls in the middle, at level three, just above the basics for survival (level one: air, water, food, shelter) and safety (level 2: health, employment, family, security).  Image from Wikimedia Commons Have you heard the word belonging recently in reference to students and employees? At OSU, it seems to be popping up … Behind the Buzzword: Creating Belonging for Online Students (part 1 of 2)
by · January 8, 2024