Co-creating compassionate classrooms.

Neshat Mokadem, Leila

Abstract

The impact of co-creating compassionate classrooms with international students will be explored through the student success formula: equity + wellbeing + inclusion. It is well-known that many postgraduate students are balancing professional working lives, their caring responsibilities, childcare, family and financial commitments with the demands of undertaking Higher Education. These challenges are often compounded for international students, as they are away from their usual support networks. This inequity can potentially lead to poor mental wellbeing and engagement, despite a desire and drive to partake in their courses. "Every night my kids plead with me to come back home... the call ends in tears, then I have to sit and write my assignment. It's really hard". Student lived experience testimonials like this highlight an urgent need for compassionate pedagogy and flexible course design that takes into account students' diverse learning and wellbeing needs. In this session, delegates will be able to gain insight into how capturing students protected characteristics and caring responsibilities can successfully ensure equity measures are put in place across the student journey from induction to alumni engagement. The session aims to help educators reflect on their own teaching practices and empower them to work in partnership with minority background students to nurture a sense of belonging within an inclusive learning environment.

Citation

NESHAT MOKADEM, L. 2023. Co-creating compassionate classrooms for international students: equity + wellbeing + inclusion = student success. Presented at the 2023 International higher education teaching and learning annual conference (HETL 2023): re-imagining education: collaboration and compassion, 12-14 June 2023, Aberdeen, UK.

• Presentation Conference Type: Presentation / Talk
• Conference Name: 2023 International higher education teaching and learning annual conference (HETL 2023): re-imagining education: collaboration and compassion
• Start Date: Jun 12, 2023
• End Date: Jun 14, 2023
• Deposit Date: Aug 31, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 31, 2023
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: International students; Compassion in education; Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2054162
• Additional Information: This presentation appeared in the book of abstracts for the conference with the following title: "Co-creating compassionate classrooms for international students: equity + wellbeing + inclusion = student success."