CIRCL is a research-based framework that brings together practices from social psychology, the learning sciences, and culturally responsive teaching. Designed for real classrooms, CIRCL helps instructors create learning environments that support learners socially, emotionally, and academically, leading to stronger engagement, confidence, and persistence.
Supporting Learners with CIRCL
Cultivating Inclusive, Resilient Communities of Learning (CIRCL)
The CIRCL Supports are made up of resources to help instructors create socially-, culturally-, and emotionally-supportive learning communities. Adult learners possess a wealth of life and work experiences that can be leveraged for learning mathematics. However, they may also have formed negative beliefs about themselves and their ability to learn. CIRCL is a research-based framework and associated set of classroom-based practices that have been adapted alongside adult learners and instructors for use in ANDE courses.
Specific examples of how ANDE instructors have used CIRCL Supports are included in the “Local Adaptations” section of key CIRCL practices.
Specific examples of how ANDE instructors have used CIRCL Supports are included in the “Local Adaptations” section of key CIRCL practices.
A framework and collection of activities for creating inclusive, resilient communities of learning
Research-based practices that center the whole learner
Flexible activities and practices you can use right away
The CIRCL collection includes both one-time activities and repeatable routines. Instructors can start anywhere, adapt practices to fit their learners, and focus on what matters most. Whether building community early in a course or reinforcing learning habits over time, CIRCL is designed to be practical, flexible, and responsive to diverse classrooms.
The CIRCL collection includes both one-time activities and repeatable routines. Instructors can start anywhere, adapt practices to fit their learners, and focus on what matters most. Whether building community early in a course or reinforcing learning habits over time, CIRCL is designed to be practical, flexible, and responsive to diverse classrooms.
CIRCL: A Closer Look
Building community and belonging
CIRCL helps instructors to create classrooms where learners feel connected, valued, and supported. Activities and practices like community agreements, group communication routines, and regular instructor outreach help foster trust, strengthen relationships, and create a sense of shared responsibility for learning. These social connections are foundational for helping learners take risks, seek help, and stay engaged.
CIRCL helps instructors to create classrooms where learners feel connected, valued, and supported. Activities and practices like community agreements, group communication routines, and regular instructor outreach help foster trust, strengthen relationships, and create a sense of shared responsibility for learning. These social connections are foundational for helping learners take risks, seek help, and stay engaged.
Supporting growth, reflection, and persistence
CIRCL can help learners develop the habits and mindsets needed for success. Through structured opportunities for reflection, goal setting, and meaningful discussion, learners develop skills to make sense of challenges, monitor their progress, and apply effective learning strategies. By normalizing struggle and celebrating progress, CIRCL helps learners build the confidence and know-how to persist through challenges.
CIRCL can help learners develop the habits and mindsets needed for success. Through structured opportunities for reflection, goal setting, and meaningful discussion, learners develop skills to make sense of challenges, monitor their progress, and apply effective learning strategies. By normalizing struggle and celebrating progress, CIRCL helps learners build the confidence and know-how to persist through challenges.
Start Building Stronger Learning Communities with CIRCL
Explore the CIRCL Collection and bring research-based, classroom-ready practices into your teaching. Whether you’re looking to strengthen learner engagement, foster meaningful discussion, or support persistence, CIRCL offers flexible tools you can adapt to your context and your learners.