Content-type: text/html Downes.ca ~ Stephen's Web ~ The politics of student belonging: identity and purpose

Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community

I found this item (14 page PDF) while reading an engaging post from Ann on comfort (worth reading in its own right). Just as these authors describe the many different ways people feel a sense of belonging, Ann writes, so also there are many senses of comfort (some of which are a lie). My mind drifts to the people who are learning styles sceptics, and while of course learning styles, comfort and belonging are all different things, one wonders why the sceptics are so devoted to making sure we understand that everyone is the same (at least so far as learning is concerned). Well, there's no mystery, really, as these authors relate: "a relatively homogeneous perspective of the positive nature of belonging is prevalent... placing the onus on educators to provide certain learning experiences to students whilst simultaneously placing the responsibility for 'achieving' belonging squarely on the shoulders of the students themselves." There are, of course, many types of belonging: active belonging, purposeful, risky, and safe, to name a few. "Students define, curate, and experience multiple belongings in diverse and sophisticated ways; however, these approaches are often invisible or marginalised within common university discourses." Image: Schar et al.

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Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
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Last Updated: Apr 30, 2024 1:30 p.m.

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