This session explores the H.O.M.E. framework, offering a humanistic approach to online learning. Participants will engage in collaborative problem-solving and reflection, discovering strategies for fostering engagement, inclusivity, and belonging in course design while addressing institutional quality assurance challenges.

As online education becomes increasingly ubiquitous, the focus on quality assurance has often been dominated by corporate-driven models that prioritize technical compliance over meaningful engagement. However, a humanistic approach to course design and delivery can offer a transformative alternative, one that prioritizes the lived experiences of both learners and educators. This session invites participants to rethink traditional models of quality assurance and explore how the H.O.M.E. (Humanistic Online Model for Engagement) framework can offer a more inclusive, engaging, and holistic approach to online learning.

The H.O.M.E. framework was developed in response to the need for a paradigm shift in how we define and implement quality assurance in online learning environments. Unlike conventional models that focus solely on course structure, H.O.M.E. integrates both "essential structure standards" and "essential experience standards" to create online learning environments that are not just functional, but transformational. These standards are designed to foster a deep sense of belonging, inclusivity, and engagement for all participants—whether they are students, instructors, or instructional designers. At its core, H.O.M.E. is about designing courses as lived experiences, not just academic exercises.

In this highly interactive session, we will collaboratively explore the challenges and opportunities that arise when applying humanistic principles to online learning. Through small group discussions, scenario-based activities, and collective brainstorming, participants will identify key challenges within their own institutions and work together to generate solutions. We will use real-world scenarios to draw out the limitations of current quality assurance models and explore how a humanistic approach can foster more engaged and inclusive online learning experiences.

Some key questions we will explore include:
• How do traditional quality assurance models fail to address the human elements of teaching and learning, particularly in online
environments?
• What specific barriers do participants face when trying to implement humanistic standards in their own courses or institutions?
• How can we develop innovative solutions that promote inclusivity, engagement, and belonging while still meeting institutional
requirements for quality assurance?

To foster deep engagement and collaboration, this session will feature an interactive activity called Building Engagement, designed to combine real-world problem-solving with ongoing collective knowledge-building. At the start of the session, participants will be introduced to a series of real-world scenarios reflecting challenges in applying humanistic standards to online learning (e.g., fostering belonging in large courses or balancing institutional requirements with personal engagement). Participants will be divided into small groups, with each group assigned a scenario to discuss and problem-solve using the H.O.M.E. framework.

As they brainstorm, participants will document their ideas on a Collaborative Brainstorming Wall (using a digital tool such as Whiteboard), where they can post solutions, insights, and reflections. This wall will serve as a living document that all groups can contribute to and review in real time. After the group discussions, participants will have the opportunity to explore other groups' contributions on the wall, adding comments or offering new perspectives.

The activity will culminate in group presentations, where each team will share their key takeaways from the scenario discussions, guided by the evolving content on the Brainstorming Wall. This will provide an opportunity for collective reflection on common themes, innovative strategies, and potential applications of humanistic principles in participants' own institutions.

Wrap-Up and Takeaways:
To conclude the activity, the Collaborative Brainstorming Wall will remain visible, allowing participants to view the complete body of knowledge created during the session. Facilitators will summarize the main takeaways, highlighting notable solutions, common themes, and areas of difficulty. A downloadable version of the Brainstorming Wall will be offered after the session, giving participants an artifact they can take back to their institutions to continue developing and applying the ideas discussed.

Participants will leave the session with the following takeaways:
• A shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities in applying humanistic standards to online learning.
• New strategies and ideas generated through collaborative discussion for fostering engagement and inclusivity.
• Insights into how the H.O.M.E. framework can be adapted to various institutional settings, including both faculty-level course
design and broader quality assurance practices.

Throughout the session, handouts and other materials to guide discussions will be provided. The interactive nature of the session, coupled with the focus on real-world applications, will ensure that participants are not just passive learners but active contributors to the conversation.

Ultimately, this session will not prescribe a one-size-fits-all solution but will instead serve as a collaborative exploration of the ways in which humanistic principles can transform online learning. Together, we will explore how the H.O.M.E. framework can serve as a blueprint for creating more engaged, inclusive, and resilient online learning environments, while fostering institutional change in how we approach quality assurance.