Participants in the October Think Tank, facilitated in the CTL Lab Space, explored the concept and practices of compassionate pedagogy, emphasizing equitable and empathetic approaches to teaching that support all students. Drawing from Dr. Raquel Wright-Mair’s framework, compassionate pedagogy was defined as a teaching practice which emphasizes listening, understanding, empathizing, and taking actionable steps to create equitable structures in education. The session focused on how small but intentional pedagogical choices can lead to transformative outcomes for both students and instructors.
Key Themes and Practices
The facilitators identified several key components of compassionate pedagogy which instructors can implement in their own courses, in a variety of smaller or more complex ways. These included flexible structures, engaging teaching strategies, promoting student autonomy, embracing frameworks for deeper learning, and approaching learning holistically. Below are some examples of what was discussed.
Flexible Structures
Accommodations for All Students: Flexible deadlines, attendance, and assignment submission options are applied universally, beginning as accommodations for specific needs but expanded for inclusivity.
Ungrading/Alternate Grading Systems: Methods such as self-grading, contract grading, and retry opportunities for failed assignments encourage learning without fear of punitive consequences.
Engaging Teaching Strategies
Talker/Listener Activity: Students identify as talkers or listeners, set goals for growth, and strategize on leveraging group strengths to foster collaboration. This activity promotes participation from all students by recognizing different communication styles without prioritizing one over the other.
Canvas Tools for Engagement: Sarah Sloan uses tools like Chatter to prompt inclusive participation and ensure every student has a voice without feeling singled out.
Assignment Modalities Promoting Student Autonomy
Student Choice: Flexible assignment formats (e.g., videos, posters, music) cater to diverse preferences and learning styles, encouraging reflection on modality choices. Mary Beer connects assignment preferences to professional practice, deepening relevance for students in fields like social work.
SMART Goals: Students establish specific, measurable goals that align with course objectives or their personal development, encouraging intentional engagement.
Student Feedback: Mary Beer shared strategies to address initial resistance to ungrading and other nontraditional practices by fostering ongoing discussions and adapting practices based on student feedback.
Frameworks for Deeper Learning
Wading, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving (Dr. Tona Hangen):
Wading: Focuses on foundational concepts.
Snorkeling: Encourages questioning and deeper understanding of basics.
Scuba Diving: Involves exploring advanced theory, ethics, and diverse perspectives, fostering curiosity.
Feedback Loop Integration: Students submit assignments with a W/S/SD self-assessment, instructors provide tailored feedback, and students reflect and engage with this feedback to determine their final grade. This process reinforces accountability and emphasizes the balance between compassion and rigor.
Holistic Learning Approaches
Three Types of Learning (Dr. Bruce Perry): Mary Beer encourages students to self-assess their preferences and engage with all three types to build a well-rounded learning experience.
Cognitive: Readings, lectures.
Relational: Small group discussions, polls.
Somatosensory: Role plays, physical activities.
Relational Practices: Regulation activities, such as breathing or meditation, are used to prepare students for cognitive tasks while fostering connection.
To close, Sarah Sloan reflected on the personal and professional growth fostered by compassionate pedagogy. While these practices enrich the student experience, they also make teaching more enjoyable and fulfilling. Sloan emphasized the transformative power of compassionate teaching, for students and educators alike, as a tool for building more empathetic and engaging learning environments.