ID News, Uncategorized

Cultivating A Sense Of Student Belonging Through Office Hours

Posted by rrebello on

“Belonging is tied to a lot of things that we value and that students value.” Peter Felten Executive Director Center for Engaged Learning Elon University

Dear Faculty, 

In the coming weeks, students will begin to meet with you during office hours to discuss their plans for fall coursework, questions about course content, or what their plans may be post-graduation. With each meeting comes an opportunity to engage with students and build a rapport- a sense of belonging. Recognizing the importance of a sense of belonging for college students is crucial for their academic success and overall well-being. Feeling connected to the academic community can enhance motivation, engagement, and persistence. Office hours play a significant role in fostering this sense of belonging by providing students with personalized interactions with their instructors. These sessions offer a safe space for students to express their concerns, seek guidance, and build relationships, which can make them feel valued and supported. As students engage in meaningful conversations during office hours, they can reflect on their experiences, develop new insights, and apply their learning in practical ways.

According to Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory, these interactions contribute to the learning cycle by offering concrete experiences and opportunities for reflective observation. This process not only enhances their academic understanding but also strengthens their connection to the academic community, reinforcing their sense of belonging. 

  • More on Kolb’s Theory and Office Hours: Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory emphasizes the importance of learning through experience, which can be directly applied to the concept of office hours, both in person and online. 
  • Concrete Experience: Office hours provide students with the opportunity to engage in direct, personal interactions with their instructors. This can include discussing course material, asking questions, and receiving feedback. These experiences are crucial for deepening understanding and making learning more tangible. 
  • Reflective Observation: After attending office hours, students can reflect on the discussions and feedback they received. This reflection helps them to process the information and integrate it with their existing knowledge. 
  • Abstract Conceptualization: Through reflection, students can develop new ideas or modify their understanding of concepts. Office hours allow for personalized explanations and clarifications, which can lead to a more robust conceptual framework. 
  • Active Experimentation: Finally, students can apply what they have learned during office hours to their coursework and other academic activities. This experimentation helps to reinforce their learning and provides new experiences to reflect upon. 

-The ID Team
CITS | Instructional Development

Click a resource to watch, listen, or read!

Rules of engagement by inside higher ed
Academic success tip: rebrand office hours by inside higher ed
Toward better teaching: Office hours with Bonnie Stachowisk
Seven practices for building community and student belonging by the chronicle of higher education
The Missed opportunity by the chronicle of higher education

RSI: regular and substantive interaction

Did you know…

…office hours are a crucial component of both students’ and faculty’s ability to meet regular and substantive interaction standards, especially in the context of online and hybrid learning environments? Here’s why:

1. Facilitating Regular Interaction:

Office hours provide a structured time for students to engage with faculty outside of scheduled class periods. This is important for regular interaction, which is often a requirement in online or hybrid courses to ensure that students receive consistent, ongoing support. Regular interaction helps build a connection between the student and the instructor, fostering a learning environment that goes beyond asynchronous communication or one-time contact.

2. Ensuring Substantive Interaction:

Substantive interaction refers to meaningful, intellectual exchanges that contribute to the student’s understanding of the subject. Office hours give students the chance to ask deeper questions, seek clarification on challenging material, and receive tailored feedback that might not be possible in a lecture setting. Faculty can provide insights based on students’ specific needs, thereby enhancing the overall quality of learning.

3. Support for Active Learning:

Office hours encourage a more interactive, student-centered approach to learning. During office hours, faculty can engage in active problem-solving with students, guide them through difficult concepts, or allow them to apply knowledge in a focused, personalized setting. This kind of engagement supports the development of critical thinking skills and deeper comprehension of the course material.

4. Building Relationships:

Regular and substantive interaction is not just about academic content—it’s also about building relationships. Office hours foster rapport between students and instructors, creating a more approachable learning environment. Students are more likely to seek help when they feel comfortable with their instructor, and having personal interaction can boost student motivation, confidence, and retention.

5. Compliance with Accreditation Standards:

In online education, accreditation bodies often require that courses demonstrate regular and substantive interaction between students and faculty to ensure academic integrity and the quality of the learning experience. Office hours are one of the key ways to meet these standards. They provide clear documentation that students are receiving continuous academic support and are actively engaged with the course material.

6. Customized Assistance:

Every student learns differently and may need help with different aspects of the material. Office hours provide an opportunity for faculty to give personalized attention to students, which is essential for addressing individual learning needs. Whether it’s going over homework, discussing lecture content, or brainstorming project ideas, this one-on-one interaction promotes greater understanding and academic success.

7. Encouraging Student Accountability:

By having scheduled office hours, students are given the responsibility to reach out for help and clarify any confusion. It encourages students to take ownership of their learning by providing them with the space to actively seek guidance. This proactive engagement is key to meeting the standards for regular and substantive interaction.

In summary, office hours are essential for creating a dynamic, engaging, and supportive learning environment. They promote meaningful interaction between students and faculty, which is critical for meeting educational standards and improving the overall learning experience.

Learn to Use Zoom in Canvas to Host Virtual Office Hours:

View a full list of Blackboard and Canvas workshops and self-paced offerings! 

John Dewey’s Learning Theory: How We Learn Through Experience written by Harry Cloke of Growth Engineering

Instructional Development works with faculty to…

  • Explore, design, and experiment with different teaching and learning modes.
  • Research and integrate technologies that can enhance teaching and learning.
  • Design and develop online courses and programs.
  • Write learning outcomes, design assessments, craft activities, and develop content.
  • Utilize best practices for using instructional technologies.

Feel free to contact us online to book an appointment!