Creating a sense of community and belonging is crucial in today's online learning landscape. To bridge this gap, I incorporated Yellowdig, a social media-like platform, into my online effective oral communication course. This innovative approach has increased participation and empowered quieter students to engage actively.

Using Yellowdig makes students feel more comfortable contributing to discussions, even in a distance learning environment. The platform's feed-like appearance and ability to incorporate multimedia content, such as videos and photos, make discussions feel more like a social media experience than a traditional discussion board. This has led to a significant increase in student engagement and participation.

Yellowdig has also helped students connect meaningfully with each other, the instructor, and the course content. Students share their experiences, ask for feedback, and engage in organic conversations. Topic tags guide students in connecting guest speaker content to other course content or real life, encouraging deeper learning and reflection.

One of the most significant unintended impacts of using Yellowdig has been the voice it has given to quieter students. The platform's safe and supportive environment has allowed them to share their thoughts and reflections without fear of judgment, which has been particularly empowering for students who previously felt unheard.

The data from Yellowdig's community health report and networking graph have been invaluable in identifying students who need support or are not engaging with the course material. The platform's value reports provide data showing conversation depth, engagement, and participation.

By incorporating Yellowdig into my online course, I have created a sense of community and belonging that transcends geographical boundaries. This has improved student engagement and participation and empowered quieter students to engage actively. As educators, we are responsible for creating inclusive and supportive learning environments that foster human connection and creativity.