This research advances notions about how interactive learning environments that intentionally shape learners' identities can empower students and give them agency. Our work draws on research on teacher noticing, extends it to the community level, and orients it towards identity. We provide an instrumental case study approach that examines…

High-ability and gifted students are well-served by a focus on the development of community. The Academic Year Governor's Schools of Virginia were created with a formalized emphasis on the network of relationships built among the students, faculty, and the larger community. The power of these communities of learners was evident in a study of the…

The purpose of this study was to bring awareness to the many roles schools play in the lives of young people, their families, and their community. The COVID-19 pandemic brought to the surface the need for people of the community to cooperate and care for one another. This qualitative research study will add to the school district's knowledge and…

University housing can play a significant role in undergraduate students' college experiences. Unfortunately, many LGBTQ + students face a myriad of harmful experiences on campus, including in campus housing that can negatively impact their belonging and well-being. To address this issue and foster LGBTQ + students' overall belongingness on campus…

The aim of this study is to determine the metaphorical ideas held by learners/graduates who engage in online student communities within the Anadolu University Open and Distance Education System, specifically with the concept of "online student communities". The study utilized a qualitative research methodology, specifically employing the…

The Impact of Facebook-based Dissertation Support Groups on the Sense of Belonging and Community Among PhD Students. This dissertation addresses the feelings of isolation and lack of support doctoral students feel during their doctoral journey, which results in a high attrition rate. The study explores the role of Facebook-based dissertation…

Evidence suggests that there is a gap for underserved populations in health sciences. Through online education, access to learning opportunities is growing in health informatics, biotechnology, health administration, and health education. However, online education can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection from the educational community.…

The purpose of this case study was to understand how attending an undergraduate academic conference contributes to a student's sense of belonging, not only within their institution but also in the larger academic community. This research was informed by the literature on club participation in conferences and faculty/student connections. Through…

The purpose of this study was to examine preservice music educators' perceptions of how the culture of a music teacher education programme and its embedded communities of practice influenced their occupational identity development. Research questions were (1) What specific cultural influences and communities of practice, if any, did the…

This study investigates the relationship between the WhatsApp group, an instant messenger application as a community of practice platform (knowledge management, regular interactions, ease of using technology, and sense of belonging) and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) learners' leadership and higher-order thinking (HOT) skills. The current…

Purpose: The purpose of this case study is to describe one Southern United States of America (US), historically Black medical school's approach to adapting medical education training through learning communities (LCs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: The COVID-19 pandemic created a wide variety of problems for higher…

This dissertation was a basic, exploratory qualitative study which examined professional identity development of community-engaged practitioner-scholars through participation in a community engagement professional associations' graduate student fellowship--the Imagining America (IA) Publicly Active Graduate Education (PAGE) Fellows program. Data…

Research experiences for undergraduate (REU) students are valuable for exploring STEM professions. Students from underrepresented groups and non-research institutions may not have the opportunities to engage in hands-on research. A primary goal of our Applied Plant Systems REU was to provide authentic research experiences for students who may not…

The adoption of online learning approach in education is becoming more popular around the world to overcome the time and spatial barriers of traditional face-to-face learning. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the normality of learning and avoiding face-to-face activities is one tactic to minimise the spread of…

Education about scientific publishing and manuscript peer review is not universally provided in undergraduate science courses. Since peer review is integral to the scientific process and central to the identity of a scientist, we envision a paradigm shift where teaching peer review becomes integral to undergraduate science education. We…