Encouraging Connections in the Classroom
We appreciate the explicit language, links to activities, and suggestions for how to avoid pitfalls when creating opportunities for connections between students and with the instructor.
The term social connectedness refers to the creation of bonding relationships. Feelings of connectedness are a contributing factor to students' social belonging and are essential elements of student satisfaction, academic success, and retention. Students who feel a sense of social connectedness are more likely to have better social and academic experiences during college, including higher emotional wellbeing, and better health (Jose et al., 2012; Walton et al., 2012; Yoon et al., 2012). Positive relationships - both among students and between students and instructors - can boost self-efficacy and social belonging, and promote greater engagement, academic achievement, and persistence among students (Gurin et al., 2002; Mendoza-Denton et al., 2002; Daempfle, 2003; Chang et al., 2006; Locks et al., 2008; Vogt, 2008; Micari & Pazos, 2012; Christe, 2013).