Affective Learning Institute (ALI) - Resources: Home

Affective pedagogy, also known as non-cognitive pedagogy, or Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), emphasizes the foundational skills students need in place in order to best absorb, integrate, and apply course content.  During this three-day intensive institute led by SBCC faculty, participants learn to infuse new teaching strategies directly into curriculum. This experiential workshop explains major approaches to affective learning and presents evidence for how it works to support student success and persistence through the cultivation of  a sense of academic and cultural belonging among students. Belonging is especially important at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI), as the research documents the belief that one does not belong in higher education to be among the greatest inhibitors to success for LatinX college students.  

Key to the success of non-cognitive pedagogy is the collaboration between faculty and students to co-produce knowledge to ensure courses are culturally responsive and emphasize cultural wealth, are relevant to students’ experiences and goals, are academically rigorous, and cultivate belonging and community among students and faculty.   Workshop participants experience examples of non-cognitive teaching from the perspective of the student and leave the workshop with tools and techniques that can be immediately integrated into any academic discipline or program.  As instructors live through the pedagogy, they more fully internalize the methodologies and appreciate the personal development benefits of the techniques, as well as become grounded in the academic and communication skills they will soon share with their students.  The faculty participants from across disciplines develop a sense of community among themselves which serves as a model for the community they are encouraged to cultivate in their classes.

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