Presenters:
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Bryan Grimwood (Assistant Professor, Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies)
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Michelle Gordon and Zack Stevens (students from Bryan’s REC 230 Outdoor Recreation Resources Management)
Learning is a social activity. It is enhanced when students feel they are part of a community where everyone has a common sense of purpose (we're all here to learn about x); when they feel they are in a supportive environment where they are free to ask questions, respond to comments, and test their ideas without fear of ridicule; and when they are in a place where they can interact with their classmates and instructors about substantive matters and where they can develop interpersonal relationships.
But how do you foster this sense of community, especially in a larger class? And why would you bother to intentionally do so?
In this session, Bryan shared activities he has incorporated into his Rec 230 Outdoor Recreation Resources Management class of 100 students to help his students get to know each other and interact with each other about substantive matters. Michelle and Zack, former students of Bryan’s, shared how participating in these activities shaped their learning. Discussions about the benefits and challenges associated with these activities followed the presentation. The participants considered ways in which similar activities might be incorporated into the classroom to foster a sense of community in other courses.
Resources:
Garrison, D. R., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (2010). The first decade of the community of inquiry framework: A retrospective. The Internet and Higher Education, 13(1), 5-9
CTE Teaching Tip: Motivating our Students