Community and Belonging in the DisruptED World of Education

October 2, 2024
Ron Stefanski

 

Creating a sense of community and belonging in education has never been more important, especially with online learning and AI-driven platforms reshaping the ways students engage with educational content. Research shows that a sense of purpose and belonging can significantly impact student success, improving both academic outcomes and overall well-being. With institutions navigating post-pandemic changes and the rise of skills-based hiring, the question arises: How can we cultivate a stronger sense of belonging in digital learning environments?

On this episode of DisruptED, host Ron J Stefanski speaks with two leaders in the education field, Dr. Jeremy Dean, Vice President of Learning Design at Honor Education, and Dr. Susan Warner-Sanchez, Associate Vice Chancellor of the Teaching and Learning Excellence Division at the Austin Community College District. Together, they explore how digital platforms are reimagining the educational experience by focusing on purpose, community, and belonging.

Key discussion points:
– The impact of belonging and purpose on student motivation, success, and mental health.
– How Honor Education’s platform fosters human connection and active student engagement.
– The role of AI and technology in creating personalized and connected learning environments.

Dr. Susan Warner-Sanchez oversees instructional services for over 80,000 students and 2,000 faculty members at the Austin Community College District. With more than 30 years of experience in higher education leadership, she specializes in strategic planning, technology integration, and fostering a culture of equity and inclusion.

Dr. Jeremy Dean is the Vice President of Learning Design at Honor Education, where he leads the integration of technology into educational platforms to enhance teaching and learning. With years of experience as a classroom educator, Dr. Dean transitioned into educational technology, spearheading go-to-market strategies and building communities around innovative learning tools at companies like Hypothesis and Genius. His expertise lies in instructional design, educational leadership, and creating engaging, tech-driven learning environments that prioritize student success.

Article written by MarketScale.

Recent Episodes

upskilling
View episode

As companies face a rapidly evolving workforce, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing presence of AI and automation, the traditional approach to employee education is no longer sufficient. A report by Springboard highlights that upskilling is now crucial, with 70% of corporate leaders recognizing a significant skills gap that is negatively affecting business…

leverage blockchain
View episode

DisruptED’s upcoming new series, “Cosmic Explainers,” sets the stage for a comprehensive introduction to the building blocks of Web3, blockchain, and crypto technologies. As the world embraces 5G, interconnected AI, and the evolving metaverse, Jerad Finck, the CEO at Cosmic Wire, is ready to break down these complex concepts. His extraordinary journey from medical…

AI retail experience
View episode

AI is revolutionizing nearly every aspect of our lives, and retail is no exception. Traditional commerce, once dominated by in-store interactions, has shifted toward e-commerce, yet the online experience often lacks the nuanced guidance of a knowledgeable salesperson. With advancements in Generative AI (Gen AI), this gap is closing, transforming the retail experience through…