{"id":5208,"date":"2024-07-19T15:27:09","date_gmt":"2024-07-19T15:27:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/design\/?p=5208"},"modified":"2024-07-19T15:27:09","modified_gmt":"2024-07-19T15:27:09","slug":"a-students-perspective-belonging-in-the-digital-age-teaching-and-learning-conference-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/design\/a-students-perspective-belonging-in-the-digital-age-teaching-and-learning-conference-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"A Student’s Perspective: Belonging in the Digital Age – Teaching and Learning Conference 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

A guest article by Cindy Darbandi\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

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As a recent Design graduate from the OU’s School of Engineering and Innovation, I had the incredible opportunity to participate as a student speaker at the Advance HE Annual Teaching and Learning conference in Nottingham this July (2nd-4th). The theme resonated deeply: redefining higher education through new learning methods, the impact of technology like AI, and evolving employer needs.<\/p>\n

However,\u00a0it was the call for student experiences that truly drew me in.\u00a0As an online learner,\u00a0I’ve always wondered:\u00a0how can universities foster a sense of belonging in a virtual world?\u00a0My application reflected on my journey beyond the traditional student union experience,\u00a0focusing on alternative ways to enhance learning and create value for students.<\/p>\n

Meeting the other student panellists and discussing diverse viewpoints enriched the conference’s theme of student belonging.\u00a0The multitude of research projects showcased from across the higher education sector offered a valuable learning experience,\u00a0especially considering the OU’s online environment.\u00a0Reflecting on these presentations,\u00a0a realization struck me:\u00a0the virtual learning experience at the OU can often feel isolating for many students.<\/p>\n

The conference was a whirlwind of presentations and workshops.\u00a0My favourite,\u00a0from Queen Mary University London, presented a holistic framework for student life cycle,\u00a0empowering students to co-create and evaluate their experiences. This project highlighted the impact of a supportive academic environment on retention,\u00a0achievement,\u00a0and overall well-being.<\/p>\n

The student panel discussion,\u00a0held on the final day,\u00a0delved into crucial aspects of belonging in HE institutions:<\/p>\n