EdgeCon Spring convenes educators to champion pedagogical shifts that prioritize student well-being and academic success, emphasizing the power of intentional course design and personalized feedback to bridge diverse student needs and build stronger learning environments.
In an era where educational landscapes are continuously evolving, the imperative to create inclusive and supportive learning environments has never been more critical. At the recent EdgeCon Spring conference, educators Sierra and Oro shared compelling insights into how intentional course design and personalized feedback can revolutionize the student experience. Their presentations underscored a fundamental principle: the humanization of the classroom, whether online or in a traditional setting, is paramount to fostering a community of learners where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered to succeed.
"While each group may have different needs, it’s essential to create a learning environment where students feel seen and that benefits everyone in the classroom," stated Oro, highlighting the overarching goal of their approach. "Whether you’re online or in a traditional classroom, everyone wants to feel valued for who they are." This sentiment forms the bedrock of their advocacy for a more empathetic and responsive pedagogical framework.
Sierra further elaborated on this concept, emphasizing the proactive nature of humanizing a course. "Part of humanizing a course is anticipating student needs before they become barriers to learning," she explained. "One of the things that has influenced my thinking is the idea of removing the hidden curriculum. It’s about unlocking those details that someone from a different background might not have been exposed to through no fault of their own. Sometimes we think we’re over-explaining, but having those details available helps everyone."
The Pillars of Intentional Course Design
The core of Sierra and Oro’s message revolves around a deliberate and thoughtful approach to course construction, often referred to as "intentional course design." This philosophy moves beyond simply delivering content to actively engineering an environment that anticipates and addresses the diverse needs of learners.
Unveiling the Hidden Curriculum
A significant aspect of intentional design, as articulated by Sierra, is the explicit demystification of the "hidden curriculum." This refers to the unstated norms, expectations, and cultural knowledge that can inadvertently create barriers for students from diverse backgrounds. For instance, concepts that may seem obvious to an instructor or to students who have navigated similar academic paths might be entirely new to others.
"For example, providing clearer assignment instructions, more detailed expectations, and accessible course materials can help remove obstacles for students who may not have encountered those expectations before," Sierra explained. She offered a concrete example: "When we think about a first-generation student, and someone says, ‘I want a properly formatted paper,’ that may not be something they learned in high school or in previous work experiences." By explicitly outlining such requirements, instructors can level the playing field and prevent misunderstandings that can derail academic progress.
Embracing Accessibility and Flexibility
The principles of intentional design extend to ensuring accessibility and offering flexibility, catering to the needs of students with disabilities and those with varied life circumstances. "The same approach applies to accessibility and flexibility," Sierra noted. "If you’re thinking about differently-abled students, humanizing a course might mean making sure videos have closed captions or providing slides in advance. For non-traditional students, perhaps offering some choice in how an assignment is completed can make a difference."
The overarching message is that while individual student needs may differ, a proactive and inclusive design strategy ultimately benefits the entire learning community. "Each group has different needs, but when you plan with those needs in mind, everyone benefits," Sierra concluded, reinforcing the idea of universal design for learning principles being embedded into the fabric of course creation.
Building Trust Through Open Communication and Feedback
Beyond the structural elements of course design, Sierra and Oro emphasized the critical role of building trust with students. This trust is foundational for gathering the necessary information to tailor the learning experience and for fostering a sense of psychological safety within the classroom.
Proactive Engagement and Welcoming Gestures
Oro highlighted the importance of proactive engagement and creating a welcoming atmosphere from the outset. "Building trust is an important part of gathering this type of information, where the goal is not to collect information for its own sake, but to help instructors better understand the students who are entering their classroom," she stated.
"Part of the approach is by being welcoming," Oro continued. "This humanized principle says, ‘I’m really looking forward to having you in class this semester, and if you could answer a few questions before the first day, it will help me get to know you before you walk in the door.’" These initial interactions, characterized by simple yet meaningful questions such as "How do you pronounce your name?", "What would you prefer to be called?", or "How do you like to receive feedback from your instructor?", serve as powerful gestures of respect and inclusivity. They signal to students that their individuality is recognized and valued.
Ongoing Feedback Loops for Continuous Improvement
Sierra advocated for the strategic use of surveys as a mechanism for ongoing feedback, transforming the learning process into a dynamic, collaborative endeavor. "I typically use surveys more as a regular check-in about a third of the way through the course, just past the midpoint, and then again at the end," she shared. "These kinds of surveys can help build trust and show students that their feedback has a purpose."
The impact of this approach is tangible. "When students learn that the information they share is going to impact course discussions and content, participation goes up," Sierra observed. This demonstrates a direct correlation between student voice and engagement. She further emphasized the importance of transparency in how feedback is processed: "I make sure to incorporate the ideas that make sense for achieving the course learning outcomes, but I will also explain why some suggestions might not fit. Knowing that I’ve read what they’ve had to say, considered it, and thought about it really matters. That transparency helps students feel like active participants in the learning experience rather than simply following instructions." This open dialogue not only enhances the course but also cultivates a sense of agency among students.
Extending Humanizing Principles Beyond the Digital Divide
While much of the discourse surrounding humanizing education has historically centered on online learning environments, Sierra and Oro stressed that these principles are universally applicable and hold immense value in traditional classrooms as well.
Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Connection in All Modalities
"Although much of the research around humanizing courses has focused on online teaching and learning, Oro found that the principles extend well beyond the digital classroom," the article highlights. Oro elaborated on this point, stating, "After participating in an EDUCAUSE workshop focused on developing and teaching a humanized online course, I thought about how these principles could be applied more broadly."
This includes leveraging the capabilities of learning management systems (LMS) even for face-to-face courses. "We try to support faculty in thinking about how the learning management system (LMS) can be used, even if it’s a traditional class. Students benefit from having course materials organized in one place that is easy to access," Oro explained. "The same applies to building a community of learners, setting clear expectations, and making the hidden curriculum more visible." The emphasis remains on clarity and support, ensuring students understand what constitutes success and how to meet the expectations set for their work.
Revolutionizing Feedback: The Power of Personalized Communication
A significant area where humanizing principles can make a profound impact is in the delivery of student feedback. Sierra proposed rethinking how feedback is provided, transforming routine comments into more personal and conversational exchanges.
"One of my favorite tools is Canvas Studio," Sierra shared. "Anything that’s already integrated into the LMS can be a great option. With a screen capture, you can record yourself going through a student’s paper and use the annotation tools, much like if the student were physically sitting beside you." This method moves beyond mere correction, allowing instructors to highlight strengths, articulate areas for improvement, and foster a dialogue around the student’s work. She further suggested, "You can use a dictation tool to give text feedback that is more informal and less critical."
The advantages of audio and video feedback become particularly apparent when conveying complex messages. "We’ve all received an email where perhaps the message was received in a way that it wasn’t intended," Sierra recalled. "The message can be softened when you put your voice, face, and hand gestures into delivering the information. Having that human and personal touch can help prevent misunderstandings and make students feel like they’re having a conversation with their instructor rather than just receiving a comment on an assignment." This personal touch not only clarifies feedback but also strengthens the instructor-student relationship.
Overcoming Student Hesitation: The Unseen Value of Modern Feedback
Despite the demonstrable benefits of personalized feedback, Oro noted a curious phenomenon: students may not always recognize its value if they haven’t experienced it before. "When I’ve asked students how they prefer to receive feedback—written feedback, informal feedback in the classroom, or video or audio feedback—very few will select video or audio feedback," she observed.
This leads to an important question: "I wonder if it is because they truly don’t prefer it, or is it because they haven’t had the opportunity to experience that type of feedback before." Oro contrasted this with the traditional, often disheartening experience of receiving feedback marked with a "red pencil." She posited, "But if you heard someone’s voice saying, ‘There are a lot of things that went well here, and for the next revision I’d like you to focus on this one area,’ that can completely change how a student receives that feedback."
The implications of these subtle shifts in communication are far-reaching. "Small shifts in communication can influence students’ connection to their learning and reinforce that they are valued members of the classroom community," Oro concluded, underscoring the profound impact of a human-centered approach to feedback and instruction.
Implications for the Future of Education
The insights shared by Sierra and Oro at EdgeCon Spring offer a compelling roadmap for educators seeking to create more equitable, engaging, and effective learning environments. By embracing intentional course design, actively addressing the hidden curriculum, and prioritizing personalized, humanized feedback, institutions can cultivate a deeper sense of belonging and empower all students to reach their full potential.
The focus on intentionality in course design suggests a move away from passive content delivery towards an active construction of learning experiences. This requires instructors to be more reflective about their pedagogical choices and their potential impact on diverse learners. Furthermore, the emphasis on building trust and incorporating student feedback throughout the learning process signifies a commitment to a more collaborative and student-centered educational paradigm.
The challenge lies in the widespread adoption and sustained implementation of these practices. It necessitates ongoing professional development for faculty, institutional support for innovative pedagogical tools, and a cultural shift that values human connection and student well-being as integral components of academic success. As educational landscapes continue to evolve, the principles championed by Sierra and Oro offer a vital framework for ensuring that education remains a force for empowerment and equity for all.
