the encouragement lounge: The Learning Space

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

The Learning Space

"Dialogue education is about creating a learning space in which learners feel a sense of belonging and inclusion. It is a profound thing to be treated as someone who belongs -- with a voice and a right to take part in your own learning -- regardless of content or curriculum."

--Jane Vella (from On Teaching and Learning: Putting the Principles and Practices of Dialogue Education into Action, 2008)

Do you typically feel a sense of belonging in your learning space (classroom or online)? What helps you to feel that you belong? What helps you to feel included? Do you contribute to others' feelings of belonging and inclusion?

Cheering you on in your work!

Harriet

Photo by HLS

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Working adult students, on my mind...

I hope this blog will be helpful to friends and others involved in a variety of endeavors. However, I created the blog with students in mind and continue to develop it with that specific group as my focus.

I believe that with the increase in evening, weekend, and low-residency programs, students are working more and more in isolation. If we were all full-time students on campus, we would have the informal support that comes with being able to go down the hall and talk with a colleague, etc. But instead, we are working late nights and weekends at home in front of the laptop.

With that in mind, I hope the encouragement lounge provides brief moments of respite and energizing connection. This does not at all replace valuable face-to-face contact. Many aspects of the academic journey can only be addressed via in-depth conversations with colleagues and teachers. And I would always rather sit down and talk with someone than to communicate online. Nonetheless, my aim is to give you one more channel for quick hits of support.