Peter Felten, Executive Director of the Center for Engaged Learning at Elon University, and Kassidy Puckett, a recent graduate and Master's student, delve into the essence of building relationships in education. They discuss how relationships enhance learning, well-being, and student success. Kassidy emphasizes the importance of empathy and active listening in the classroom. Peter highlights curiosity as a practice, while the duo shares insights on using personal stories to create a connection among students, fostering a supportive and engaged learning environment.
Emphasizing the importance of relationship-rich education can significantly enhance student satisfaction, well-being, and academic success in higher education.
Implementing strategies like sharing personal stories and fostering empathy in large classrooms can create meaningful connections between students and faculty.
Deep dives
The Challenges of Scaling Education
Scaling education often leads to a reduction in meaningful connections between students and faculty. Many institutions attempt to maximize efficiency by increasing class sizes, which can hinder the ability of instructors to engage with students personally. Large class environments discourage active participation, leaving students feeling anonymous and disengaged. This phenomenon, known as the 'Too Many Bodies Problem,' highlights the detrimental impact of scale on both faculty's ability to form relationships and students' educational experience.
Barriers to Building Relationships
Research conducted over three years identified significant barriers faculty face while trying to build relationships in large classes. The most commonly reported barrier was time, with faculty struggling to connect with individual students amidst larger workloads. Institutional factors, particularly class size, also emerged as a critical concern, directly affecting the faculty's ability to create meaningful interactions. Additionally, well-being was identified as a barrier, impacting both students and faculty, often due to the stresses associated with large class formats.
Strategies for Fostering Student Connections
To combat the barriers identified, faculty can employ strategies that emphasize empathy and personal interactions. Building a classroom culture that encourages collaboration, such as think-pair-share activities, can enhance student relationships. Prioritizing individual interactions through accessible office hours and integrating personal stories into lessons can also create a more inclusive environment. These approaches not only improve interpersonal connections but also enrich the learning experience for students.
The Importance of Intentional Connections
Understanding the significance of educational relationships can transform the student experience in higher education. Studies show that peer relationships positively influence student satisfaction, well-being, and academic success. Educators are encouraged to explicitly teach students about the value of forming connections, as many, particularly first-generation students, may not instinctively recognize this importance. Encouraging strategies for purposeful interactions can foster a classroom environment where students feel supported and engaged, ultimately enhancing their educational journey.
Peter Felten + Kassidy Puckett share about relationship-rich education at scale on episode 551 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Quotes from the episode
We need to help students understand that relationships matter for their learning, their well-being, and success.
-Peter Felten
Curiosity is a practice.
-Peter Felten
Empathy in the classroom is not just about being kind; it’s about actively listening and understanding where our students are coming from.
-Kassidy Puckett
Sharing personal stories in the classroom can break down barriers and foster a space where students feel seen and understood.
-Kassidy Puckett