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Empowering Connected Learning

Discover how Yellowdig fosters engagement, community, and success in modern education.

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Gamification Is the Secret Weapon of Remote Learning

Case Study with Carolyn Siccama, Ed.D. The University of Vermont Instructional Designer One piece of advice from Dr. Siccama to fellow Yellowdig instructors: “Be willing to reconsider your notions of online interaction.” How Dr. Siccama Uses Yellowdig: Between Summer 2018 and Summer 2019, Dr. Carolyn Siccama integrated Yellowdig into 7 online graduate courses, 5 online […]

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Engagement of students in online learning

In summary The implementation of an integrated and standardised data eco-system, including incorporating data from student engagement platforms such as Yellowdig, supports critical student success initiatives by breaking down data silos. Students observed in this study used Yellowdig Engage to build interpersonal connections that eased their anxieties around their studies, created a sense of community, […]

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Using Remote Learning to Create Learner-Centered Classroom

Interview with A. McKinzie Sutter The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Agronomy and Horticulture Distance Education Specialist One word of advice from McKinzie to fellow Yellowdig instructors:   Make Yellowdig a learner-centered classroom. Let the students learn from each other and discuss topics from the course that they’re interested in. The teacher serves as the […]

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Dr. Lawrence Duke & Dr. Jesse Ballenger

Online Classroom Format That Leads to Student Success and Satisfaction Case Study with Professor Lawrence Duke Drexel University LeBow College of Business Marketing Department Clinical Professor & Faculty Advisor for the MS Marketing program What follows is an excerpt of Professor Duke’s full case study Professor Duke on how often he reads his Yellowdig feed: […]

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Increasing engagement & retention

Case Study with one of the Nation’s Largest Online Degree Providers How Yellowdig powered a leading national online university to increase learner engagement and retention in just one semester Program outcomes show secondary potential benefits including less instructor admin time spent, lower enrollment costs. ​ Challenge: How does one of the top online degree providers […]

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Study across 4 Marketing Classes

Higher Student Engagement on Yellowdig Leads to Better Grades Fort Hays State University Deems Social Learning Platform, Yellowdig, a ‘Powerful’ Addition to Marketing Courses Comprehensive Research Study Dr. Andrew Feldstein, Dr. Mary C. Martin, and Dr. Michael J. Martin of Fort Hays State University participated in a pilot program where Yellowdig, a social learning platform, was […]

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New Explorations in Teaching with Technology

How to Keep Student Engagement High on an Infrequent Class Schedule 2018 NEXT Conference: New Explorations in Teaching with Technology Transcribed from a presentation by Claudia J. Coleman, PhDin February 2018, at the NEXT Conference “So, why are segues and icebreakers important? Well, they may not be unless you care about building stronger relationships with […]

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School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Interview with Professor Nicholas Duran Arizona State University School of Social and Behavioral Sciences Assistant Professor Listen to the podcast One piece of advice from Professor Duran to fellow Yellowdig instructors: “In large online courses, I really emphasize Yellowdig participation as it’s the only way students can really get to know and interact with each […]

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Gamified approach drives meaningful learner satisfaction

Yellowdig Participation Grades are Important for Student Success Marketing Management and New Media Marketing students posted, commented with purpose to earn participation grade ​ CHALLENGE : How do we boost student engagement?   Drexel University Lebow College of Business marketing Professor Lawrence Duke was noticing a trend: student engagement with the message boards set up […]

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Community-building for learners and educators

Community Building With Yellowdig for Learners and Educators Interview with Dr. Nina Wieda, PhD Northwestern University MA, Nationalism Studies, Central European University, Budapest Professor at Northwestern University, Chicago Field Studies Program About Dr. Nina Wieda  “I teach in Chicago field studies program, which is an academic internship program. It’s a unique interdisciplinary program.  Our students do […]

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Hybrid Learning Across Time And Space

Download this free e-book to explore how hybrid learning can foster stronger connection, increase engagement, and support better outcomes for both students and instructors.

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Made for Humans

Read success stories from instructors that teach a variety of courses at Georgetown University, University of Michigan, and Algonquin High School. ​ Also, for the first time ever, we are featuring three humans of Yellowdig so you can get to know the team that’s tailoring your Yellowdig experience. ​ Have a nice read!

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Student and Instructor User

In this free download, you’ll read about the impact Yellowdig has had on students, a deep dive into the overall experience of two Yellowdig professors, and how Yellowdig saves time and increases satisfaction for both students and professors—complete with both anecdotal evidence and quantifiable data.

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Exploring Student Satisfaction in an Online Community with a Gamified Instructional Approach

Two instructors from The University of Tampa share their experiences using Yellowdig through this study. ​ Read thorough the Literature review of how the instructors dealt with filling the gap of understanding students’ experience using our authentic online community-based platform.

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Connect Like Never Before

In this free e-book, you’ll hear directly from instructors and administrators from across academia who have used Yellowdig to elevate connection and collaboration in their classrooms. Teachers who have increased participation and engagement through meaningful discussion. Leaders who have reduced drop rates and improved student retention – all in the wake of a global pandemic. […]

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Efficacy E-Book

See inside the classrooms of instructors across many universities to learn the real impact they have witnessed since using Yellowdig – Free download!

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Stop guessing. Learn what's working with AI Insights.

Higher ed leaders are under real pressure right now: tightening budgets, AI anxiety, and growing accountability around retention and student success. Join Yellowdig on June 18 for an early preview of Insights, our AI-native analytics platform arriving this fall. In a live demonstration, we’ll show how institutions can turn community discussion data into actionable insights. […]

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Designing Courses Students Want to Engage, Even in the Age of AI

Explore how course design decisions shape participation, and what changes when interaction no longer depends on constant instructor effort. Why this matters Many engagement challenges are treated as motivation problems. In practice, they’re usually design problems. When participation depends on constant instructor effort, it becomes harder to sustain. Students engage early, then drop off, and […]

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Build Community Cut Workload Faculty Tools That Actually Help

AI promises efficiency, but faculty still want deeper conversation and stronger student connection, not more tools to manage. In this session, we explore teaching frameworks and community-based tools that reduce grading and oversight time while preserving authentic learning. Using real faculty stories, we’ll show how supported workflows and peer-driven conversation models shift responsibility to students, […]

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Leadership Roundtable: Engagement, Retention & Belonging in 2026

A strategic conversation for higher education leaders shaping what comes next. Higher education leaders are navigating enrollment pressure, accelerating AI transformation, and rapidly shifting student expectations. This leadership roundtable explores how institutions are integrating AI responsibly while investing in human-centered learning environments that drive persistence, retention, and long-term resilience.

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From Quiet to Connected: How to Activate Student Voices in Week 1

The first week of the semester sets the tone for everything that follows. This webinar shares evidence-backed techniques to spark meaningful participation from day one, even in courses where students traditionally stay silent. Learn how community-driven activities, clear participation norms, and low-pressure entry points help students open up, connect, and engage long before grades drive […]

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We’re planning our next session—check back soon. In the meantime, explore our past webinars and resources.

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Yellowdig Burnout: What Institutions Can Actually Do

This session focuses on real, actionable approaches that institutions are using to support instructors in meaningful ways. Rather than adding new initiatives or expectations, we will explore how thoughtful course design and community-driven learning environments can reduce repetitive tasks, ease grading pressure, and create healthier teaching rhythms.You will hear concrete examples from faculty who have […]

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A Student Perspective: Yellowdig Student Webinars

A Student Perspective on Yellowdig featuring 4 Learners

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Practical Tips for Faculty Presence In any Modality

Practical Tips for Faculty Presence in Any Course Modality

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The Role of Faculty Presence in Modern Student Engagement

An hour-long webinar on the effects of faculty presence featuring Senior Academic Liaison, Bob Ertischek, J.D, Learning Design and Success Advisor, Natalie D Murray, and Pilot Onboarding Specialist, Natalie Ramos.

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When Vulnerability Leads to Engagement : A Yellowdig Story

Dr Heather Young University of Florida   Challenge: In large online courses, students often feel like just a “face on a screen” or a number. Traditional discussion boards often result in “compliance” posts, posting once and replying twice just to check a box,which lack originality and real connection. The human moment Dr. Young shared a […]

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Burnout Isn’t Just Workload… It’s Emotional Load : A Yellowdig Story

LaToya Devezin Penn West University Challenge: Faculty burnout is no longer just about time. It’s the pressure of large classes, constant grading, and trying to support every student—often all at once. The human moment LaToya described what burnout actually feels like behind the scenes. It’s not just the volume of work; it’s the expectation to […]

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Why Discussions Don’t Feel Like Conversations : A Yellowdig Story

Jill AndersonNC State University   Challenge: Online course discussions lack real conversation. Students participate out of obligation, and faculty must grade every interaction. Engagement becomes routine, not meaningful. The human moment Jill described a frustration many instructors recognize immediately. Discussion boards, meant for interaction, often fail. Instead of real dialogue, students simply complete assignments. As […]

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It Went Off Track… Then Got Better : A Yellowdig Story

John BellottiUniversity of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Challenge: In asynchronous courses, students often feel isolated. Discussion boards are structured. Interactions are required. But a real connection? Rare. The human moment John shared a moment from an online accounting course that changed how he viewed engagement. The conversation started normally and stayed focused on the topic. Then it drifted. […]

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What 870 [randomly selected] online communities tell us about belonging — and how to improve it

I was in a conversation with one of our partners, a senior administrator responsible for institutional effectiveness. There is significant focus on retention, and as a result, on student belonging. They are doing an amazing job, but even a 1% lift is sizable—both for student success and the financial bottom line. What got me thinking […]

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The Coverage Gap: The Most Important Metric in Online Education Few are Talking About

There’s a number I’ve been obsessing over lately. It’s called Community Coverage. And it’s deceptively simple. It measures the average percentage of their classmates that each student actually interacts with — through posts, comments, mentions, or reactions. Not who enrolled. Not who logged in. How much of the community each student is actually touching. Think […]

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If Students Have Something to Say, Let Them Talk : A Yellowdig Story

Dr. Scott StandiferSouthern California University of Health Sciences   Challenge: Traditional discussion boards feel structured and predictable. Students complete prompts, but rarely explore ideas beyond them. The human moment “This is how I kind of envision a discussion board, as a sort of stair step of knowledge. At the end of the course, we end […]

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When Students Turn to Each Other First : A Yellowdig Story

Dr. Kevin Carr University of Michigan   Challenge: Students defaulted to instructor answers or external tools instead of learning through each other. The human moment “They can ask their peers, and they get a much better and more interesting response, and they’re more part of a community through that.” — Kevin Carr Dr. Carr teaches […]

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Announcing Yellowdig's Guaranteed Retention Outcome

Higher education is facing a structural challenge.   Enrollment pressure is real.   Student acquisition costs are rising.   And too many capable students quietly disengage before we see it coming.   The data is clear: academic performance alone does not predict persistence. Connection does.   Belonging is no longer a “student life” concept. It […]

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When Students Choose the Space : A Yellowdig Story

Dr. Mark HowellNorthwestern Michigan College Challenge: Students treated the LMS as a checklist, discussion boards felt transactional, and engagement was shallow. The human moment “They will go to Yellowdig before they go to Canvas.” — Mark Howell. When Dr. Mark realized students were choosing Yellowdig on their own, he changed his behavior, too. “I upload […]

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Yellowdig Blog & Insights

Explore expert tips, fresh ideas, and real experiences from educators and learners. Stay updated on community highlights, platform updates, and best practices.

Yellowdig Blog & Insights

Explore expert tips, fresh ideas, and real experiences from educators and learners. Stay updated on community highlights, platform updates, and best practices.

When Vulnerability Leads to Engagement : A Yellowdig Story

Dr Heather Young University of Florida   Challenge: In large online courses, students often feel like just a “face on a screen” or a number. Traditional discussion boards often result in “compliance” posts, posting once and replying twice just to check a box,which lack originality and real connection. The human moment Dr. Young shared a […]

Burnout Isn’t Just Workload… It’s Emotional Load : A Yellowdig Story

LaToya Devezin Penn West University Challenge: Faculty burnout is no longer just about time. It’s the pressure of large classes, constant grading, and trying to support every student—often all at once. The human moment LaToya described what burnout actually feels like behind the scenes. It’s not just the volume of work; it’s the expectation to […]

Why Discussions Don’t Feel Like Conversations : A Yellowdig Story

Jill AndersonNC State University   Challenge: Online course discussions lack real conversation. Students participate out of obligation, and faculty must grade every interaction. Engagement becomes routine, not meaningful. The human moment Jill described a frustration many instructors recognize immediately. Discussion boards, meant for interaction, often fail. Instead of real dialogue, students simply complete assignments. As […]

Explore Yellowdig Courses and Learning Opportunities

Discover interactive courses designed to help you get the most out of Yellowdig. Learn best practices, platform tips, and strategies for fostering community and engagement.

Instructor & Designer Certification

28 lessons

Facilitator & TA Certification

21 lessons

YD Organization Administration

10 lessons

STEM Community Building

9 lessons

Instructor & Designer Certification

28 lessons

Facilitator & TA Certification

21 lessons

Explore Yellowdig Courses and Learning Opportunities

Discover interactive courses designed to help you get the most out of Yellowdig. Learn best practices, platform tips, and strategies for fostering community and engagement.

Instructor & Designer Certification

28 lessons

Facilitator & TA Certification

21 lessons

YD Organization Administration

10 lessons

STEM Community Building

9 lessons

Instructor & Designer Certification

28 lessons

Facilitator & TA Certification

28 lessons

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When Vulnerability Leads to Engagement : A Yellowdig Story

Dr Heather Young University of Florida   Challenge: In large online courses, students often feel like just a “face on a screen” or a number. Traditional discussion boards often result in “compliance” posts, posting once and replying twice just to check a box,which lack originality and real connection. The human moment Dr. Young shared a […]

Read Article

Burnout Isn’t Just Workload… It’s Emotional Load : A Yellowdig Story

LaToya Devezin Penn West University Challenge: Faculty burnout is no longer just about time. It’s the pressure of large classes, constant grading, and trying to support every student—often all at once. The human moment LaToya described what burnout actually feels like behind the scenes. It’s not just the volume of work; it’s the expectation to […]

Read Article

Why Discussions Don’t Feel Like Conversations : A Yellowdig Story

Jill AndersonNC State University   Challenge: Online course discussions lack real conversation. Students participate out of obligation, and faculty must grade every interaction. Engagement becomes routine, not meaningful. The human moment Jill described a frustration many instructors recognize immediately. Discussion boards, meant for interaction, often fail. Instead of real dialogue, students simply complete assignments. As […]

Read Article

It Went Off Track… Then Got Better : A Yellowdig Story

John BellottiUniversity of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Challenge: In asynchronous courses, students often feel isolated. Discussion boards are structured. Interactions are required. But a real connection? Rare. The human moment John shared a moment from an online accounting course that changed how he viewed engagement. The conversation started normally and stayed focused on the topic. Then it drifted. […]

Read Article

What 870 [randomly selected] online communities tell us about belonging — and how to improve it

I was in a conversation with one of our partners, a senior administrator responsible for institutional effectiveness. There is significant focus on retention, and as a result, on student belonging. They are doing an amazing job, but even a 1% lift is sizable—both for student success and the financial bottom line. What got me thinking […]

Read Article

The Coverage Gap: The Most Important Metric in Online Education Few are Talking About

There’s a number I’ve been obsessing over lately. It’s called Community Coverage. And it’s deceptively simple. It measures the average percentage of their classmates that each student actually interacts with — through posts, comments, mentions, or reactions. Not who enrolled. Not who logged in. How much of the community each student is actually touching. Think […]

Read Article

See Yellowdig in Action Today

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