Socially Embedded Learning: Supporting Connection and Belonging in Online Education with Dr. Ruth Streveler

Effective teaching, whether online or in-person, requires instructors to treat students as whole people, value their experiences, and create an inclusive environment where learners feel respected, supported, and capable of learning. In this episode, we explore socially embedded learning, emphasizing that learning is not just an individual cognitive process but a deeply social and emotional experience. Dr. Streveler suggests strategies to build meaningful learning connections in online learning environments. 

Bio:
Dr. Ruth A. Streveler is Professor Emerita in the School of Engineering Education at Purdue University. Dr. Streveler has been the Principle Investigator or co-Principle Investigator of ten grants funded by the US National Science Foundation. She was JEE Associate Editor for the Journal of Engineering Education (JEE), has published articles in the JEE and the International Journal of Engineering Education, and contributed two chapters to the Cambridge Handbook of Engineering Education Research. She has presented workshops to over 500 engineering faculty on four continents. Dr. Streveler’s primary research interests are investigating students’ understanding of difficult concepts in engineering science and helping engineering faculty conduct rigorous research in engineering education.