Humanizing Learning: A Student-Generated Framework

Abstract

When students were asked what humanizing learning means to them, one student replied: “When instructors see us as people – unique, with different hopes and different stresses – and treat us as more than a number.” Another student said that it depended on the definition of humanize. In order to explore how we can humanize our courses, this work centres both student and instructor experiences – but note that this resource is not an instructor guide or a “how-to” list. It’s a way of thinking about humanizing learning by exploring key pillars that are important to students and instructors alike. It provides contextual practice ideas to humanize learning. It is not a list of best practices – as really, “best” actually refers to “contextual,” as best isn’t best for everyone. Students from the listening sessions repeatedly expressed how doing something is better than nothing, but also that in order to make this work meaningful, it needs to be iterative, be embedded throughout an instructor’s teaching practice and not present only once or twice in the term. So, consider as you explore this resource how some of these suggestions could become foundational pieces of your approach to teaching and learning.