Project Highlight: Exploring Well-being in Learning Environments’ Seminar Series and Grants Program
While the pivot to remote learning introduced new challenges for improving student well-being in the classroom, a team of passionate 大象传媒 community members came prepared.
Dr. Sheri Fabian, Lehoa Mak, Tara McFarlane, and Alisa Stanton are the team behind the project. With their passion for student well-being, The Institute for the Study of Teaching and Learning in the Disciplines (ISTLD) team along with the 大象传媒 Health Promotion team came together to develop a well-being stream as part of a Teaching and Learning Development Grant, called Well-being in Learning Environments Seminar Series & Grants Program.
Supported by the Student Experience Initiative (SEI), and launched in Fall 2021, this partnership has collaborated with faculty to identify and address opportunities to improve student well-being in the classroom during the pandemic and beyond.
鈥淭he goals of the SEI project aligns with our team鈥檚 goals to create a healthy campus environment for students鈥�, says Mak.
鈥淭he idea to create a well-being stream for this is a long time coming鈥�, she continues, noting the support from SEI and faculty in realizing this well-being grants stream.
The idea originated from Dr. Fabian and Stanton, with the initial goal of the project being to bring faculty together to inform the development of student well-being interventions. With the shift to remote learning delaying and shifting certain elements, the team has successfully maneuvered to highlight the importance of well-being.
The project also includes research to provide evidence and inform intervention practices.
鈥淭hat is the importance of the research part of the program -- to provide evidence that these small or large interventions have an impact on student learning and their experiences鈥�, says McFarlane.
Many of the projects within the stream are still in progress, but early findings are promising.
鈥淭he fact that he actually cares makes a big difference in the vibe/atmosphere鈥� one student says about the project.
鈥淲orking collaboratively with the Health Promotion Team has been one of the most rewarding projects I鈥檝e worked on at 大象传媒. One of my goals at ISTLD is to build communities of practice so that instructors can support each other in this work鈥� says Fabian.
The project is another crucial aspect of enhancing student experience, with support from SEI and increased interest in supporting student well-being, the project will continue to grow.
鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to share the launch of a new initiative called Tools for Well-being in the Classroom (or, TWC)鈥�, says 大象传媒 Health Promotion. This initiative will bring more instructors into the network and will focus more on quick strategies to support well-being.
鈥淥r I like to think of it as...bringing awesome and caring human beings together鈥�.
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The initiative has continued into Spring 2022. Instructors interested in getting involved can register here.