A community-based learning program to improve wellbeing and design student success

Conference Paper (2022)
Author(s)

M.R.K. van den Bergh (Student TU Delft)

Mieke Van Der Bijl-Brouwer (TU Delft - DesIgning Value in Ecosystems)

Rebecca Price (TU Delft - Responsible Marketing and Consumer Behavior)

Research Group
DesIgning Value in Ecosystems
Copyright
© 2022 M.R.K. van den Bergh, M. van der Bijl-Brouwer, R.A. Price
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2022.761
More Info
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Publication Year
2022
Language
English
Copyright
© 2022 M.R.K. van den Bergh, M. van der Bijl-Brouwer, R.A. Price
Research Group
DesIgning Value in Ecosystems
Reuse Rights

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Abstract

While the Pandemic has increased awareness towards student wellbeing in higher education (HE), it also exacerbated existing challenges. Specifically, students pursuing their master graduation thesis often find themselves isolated and overwhelmed due to the individualistic nature of their project and the pressure to create a ‘masterpiece’. In this paper, we provide insight into how designing for community can positively impact thesis design students’ motivation, sense of community and wellbeing, which we identify as drivers of student success. We discuss and evaluate a community-based learning (CBL) program we designed and implemented to improve student success during the master thesis journey of 92 students at the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, XXXX. Our findings from the program are that; (1) facilitating connections between students generates a sense of community; (2) a customizable program supports student agency which in turn drives motivation; (3) a focus on student success instead of performance improves wellbeing.