Dr. Laura Sarchet, assistant professor of special education, was the lead author of an article published in College Teaching titled “Incorporating Universal Design for Learning in Hybrid-HyFlex College Courses to Enhance Student Belonging, Engagement, Equity, and Learning Outcomes.”
The paper suggested that using Universal Design for Learning in their in online synchronous and face-to-face HyFlex classes will help professors facilitate a sense of belonging among their students and offered practical strategies for instructors to take away and experiment within course design.
“College instructors work hard to support student engagement, strive for equity, and improve student learning outcomes,” Dr. Sarchet wrote. “Students’ sense of belonging is essential for learning and also contributes to these outcomes. While online environments provide flexibility for students, explicit effort must be made to ensure students can connect with each other, especially in and between in-person and online experiences such as those in HyFlex courses.”
Dr. Sarchet earned her Ph.D. in teaching and curriculum at the University of Rochester, her M.S.Ed. in inclusive adolescent education from Nazareth College and her B.S. in early childhood education and teaching students with disabilities from Roberts Wesleyan College.
