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Based on the Classroom Profile for Foundations for Success in Higher Education, the students range in age from 24 to 58. This suggests they are likely returning to school for career advancement, a career change, or personal growth. As an instructor, it is important to recognize the unique needs of adult learners and apply theories such as Malcolm Knowles’ Andragogy and David Kolb’s Experiential Learning. These theories emphasize the value of drawing on students’ life and career experiences to make learning more meaningful and engaging. Many of these students come from fields like Healthcare, Education, and Business, which allows me to design activities that connect course content to real-world applications. Additionally, understanding and supporting their learning preferences, whether visual, hands-on, or reading/writing can help build the gap between comprehension and motivation. By applying these approaches, I can create a supportive and relevant learning environment that encourages success for adult learners.

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During the first few weeks of class, I will have students complete an activity called "Who Are You?" using an Identity Map. This tool encourages students to reflect on the many aspects that shape their identities, including how they see themselves and how society labels them. Students fill in a chart with words or phrases that describe their personal, cultural, and social identities. In addition to exploring their own identities, students can also create charts for historical figures, fictional characters, or specific groups as part of course content. This activity not only supports self-awareness and personal reflection but also helps students connect with others by sharing their identity maps. These discussions can build empathy, reduce stereotypes, and foster a stronger sense of community within the classroom. Identity mapping serves as a valuable strategy for inclusive, learner-centered engagement and can be revisited throughout the course to encourage growth and deeper understanding. By doing this I will have my students discuss as a class discussion.

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Use this printable identity chart template in your classroom to help students map the many factors that shape a person or group’s identity.

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A Gallery Walk is an effective strategy to use at the beginning of a class to encourage student engagement and active participation. In this activity, various texts, images, quotes, or student work are posted around the classroom, and students move from station to station to observe and respond. This physical movement makes the strategy especially beneficial for kinesthetic learners. In the Foundations for Success in Higher Education course, a Gallery Walk allows students to interact with diverse perspectives and reflect on their own experiences, which supports the course’s emphasis on self-awareness and growth. It also aligns with adult learning principles, particularly Experiential Learning Theory, by promoting active engagement with content and peer learning. Students are not just passive recipients of information, they learn through doing, reflecting, and collaborating. This approach helps build a sense of community early in the course and supports a deeper understanding of key concepts through shared dialogue and movement.

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Another great strategy is a syllabus scavenger hunt, which is an engaging activity that encourages students to interact with the course syllabus in a meaningful way. This hands-on approach helps students better understand and retain important course information while also introducing them to the class structure, the instructor, and their peers. By incorporating reading, writing, and visual elements, the activity supports multiple learning styles especially those of adult learners enrolled in this course. The instructor can guide students through questions such as: How does this course compare to others you’ve taken? How do you see it applying to your personal or professional goals? What challenges or strengths do you anticipate in this course? This not only reinforces comprehension of the syllabus but also fosters self-reflection and class engagement from the very beginning. Ultimately, the scavenger hunt sets a positive tone for the course, promoting active participation and a sense of belonging.

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Creating a sense of belonging in the classroom whether it's an online environment or a traditional setting is essential, as belonging is a fundamental human need. For adult learners, this sense of connection is important. Many return to education while juggling responsibilities like work, family, and personal commitments. When students are given opportunities to share their experiences, concerns, and challenges, they build a supportive network with their peers and instructor.

Adult learning theories, such as Malcolm Knowles’ Andragogy and David Kolb’s Experiential Learning, emphasize the importance of relevance, experience, and connection in adult education. These theories expand upon the idea that adult learners thrive when they feel a sense of ownership in their learning and when the material is tied to real-life experiences. A classroom that fosters belonging allows learners to feel seen, heard, and supported making them more likely to engage actively, persist through challenges, and achieve their goals.

This approach also reduces the fear of judgment, particularly for those returning to school after a long break. As an instructor, integrating these ideas into my teaching practice will not only strengthen my students’ success but also enhance the overall learning environment I strive to create.

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Association of College and University Educators

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Introducing: Fostering a Culture of Belonging