Students' Belonging Experiences in an Active Learning Introductory Chemistry Course Facilitated by Learning Assistants

Abstract

The concept of belonging encompasses the profound sense of connection one feels within a specific context. Within the classroom setting, extensive literature has underscored the crucial role that a student's sense of belonging plays in influencing their performance and self-efficacy. A robust sense of belonging not only fosters higher rates of STEM retention but also serves as a catalyst for narrowing performance disparities among diverse student groups. While research has delved into the notion of belonging in various educational contexts, relatively less attention has been directed toward understanding how students perceive belongingness within the domain of chemistry classrooms. Inside the chemistry classroom, little research has specifically investigated the influence of Learning Assistant facilitated chemistry courses on students' sense of belonging. To that end, we conducted surveys among students enrolled in large lecture introductory chemistry courses to investigate their belonging experiences. Students were given a 28-item survey based on a previously published belonging assessment. Further, we added short, open-ended adaptive questions to the survey that focused on eliciting more in-depth responses. The survey results are presented in the students' own words, providing invaluable insights into their sense of belonging, which was influenced more by grades than the authors initially considered. A discussion of practical tips to help increase a student's sense of belonging is included. Students were given a 28-item survey based on a previously published belonging assessment. Further, we added to the survey short-ended adaptive questions that focused on eliciting more in-depth responses. The survey results are presented in the students' own words, providing invaluable insights into their sense of belonging, the influence of Learning Assistant facilitation, and the influence of grades. A discussion of practical tips to help increase a student’s sense of belonging is included.