Affiliation:
1. University of Southern Maine, USA
2. University of New Hampshire, USA
Abstract
The global calamity of the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift from face-to-face learning to online learning ushering in pedagogical experimentation and innovation. This chapter advocates for the importance of a humanizing approach to the online classroom. Humanizing is conceptualized as a pedagogical orientation and practice in which person-to-person connections and the relational qualities of teaching and learning are intentionally prioritized. Four areas are discussed: 1) the adoption of new practices for the creation of authentic learning experiences, 2) the development of humanizing approaches for the assessment of student learning, 3) the recognition of student mental wellness as a humanizing practice, and 4) the leverage of educational frameworks to build connection. The aim is to expand the conversation regarding the opportunities and challenges for humanizing online learning.