A Technology-Supported Course Throughline

Abstract

This reflective essay discusses a course redesigned to enhance student belonging and the important role intentional use of technology plays in creating a belonging context. Before the redesign, some course elements aimed to create a belonging context by centering and valuing student choice, and through choice, respect of identity. However, there were gaps in the pedagogical tactics related to considering the students’ psychological experience as part of the class. The course redesign focused on procedures that centered student agency and voice as the core of a class learning community. Technological refinements using an online discussion tool called CN Post, strategic uses of the course LMS, implementation of anonymous review using Qualtrics, and self-publication of a student written book using Pressbooks relied on brave space discussion and solidified a co-created, course throughline in which all student voices mattered and belonged, emotionally and intellectually, to class process and learning outcomes.