Attitude of Gratitude

Attitude and gratitude.  Positive psychology.  Wellness.  Aspects to the virtual environment that create new possibilities and new challenges. Positive psychology points to a connection between attitude, gratitude, efficacy and learning.  Where are the spaces that open connections to instructor, content and classmates in an online classroom? 

Thinking about student wellness that is mindful of the intersection between learner, instructor, curriculum, course, program, institution and even community embraces a holistic vision.    Especially for students who are isolated, at a distance, and not in direct contact with their instructor, engaging the whole person is essential to placing online learning within a real world framework. 

Using strategies that work in a face to face classroom and adjusting them to the virtual environment is using sound pedagogy.  Discussions, introductions, openers and closers, and relating learning to authentic materials and experiences are all are sound pedagogy.  Connecting students in the class to people, places and things outside of the class that can make learning relevant are essential.  Direct reminders or assignments that connect learning to the institution and the community at large enhance critical thinking and an understanding of citizenship. 

Does an attitude of gratitude enhance learning? Does getting students to state three things they are grateful for at the beginning of class make them 33% smarter, for instance (as I heard on a wonderful TED talk (Sean Achor) I listened to recently)? I'm not sure about the scientific validity.  But if it puts learners in a frame of mind that facilitates learning, why not?  If it puts them in a global frame of mind that benefits others, all the better.