Website: Instructional Settings

How Relationships Are The Core of Teaching

Carleton University Teaching and Learning Services

Our Recommendation

Check out Peter Felten's description in the 3-minute video. Relationships here aren't solely defined at the student-instructor or one-on-one level. A relationship-rich environment embodies constellations of relationships and connections across everyone in the learning enterpriseeven in a large-enrollment course.

Even (and especially) time-pressed instructors with large classes can foster meaningful relationships and interactions, resulting in powerful and long-lasting effects for students.

The four guiding principles of Relationship-Rich Education are:

  • All students must experience genuine welcome and deep care.
  • Relationships are a powerful means to inspire all students to learn.
  • All students must develop webs of significant relationships.
  • All students need meaningful relationships to help them—and to challenge them—to explore the big questions of their lives.