Mental Health Promoting Communities of Learning

Conference: The IAFOR International Conference on Education in Hawaii (IICE2022)
Title: Mental Health Promoting Communities of Learning
Stream: Higher Education
Presentation Type: Virtual Presentation
Authors:
Natalie Frandsen, Simon Fraser University, Canada

Abstract:

The number of students enrolled in higher education with diverse learning needs is increasing, alongside growing numbers of students taking courses online. Additionally, as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, post-secondary institutions have been required to deliver courses using “remote” methods (i.e., various online delivery modalities). Given the rapid shift to online learning, there is a need for dialogue about and action toward ensuring online learning communities are safe, inclusive and mental health promoting. Delivering courses and programs online (often called “distance education”) has long been touted as an opportunity to provide more accessible and equitable education. However, equitable and accessible educational communities are created. It is essential that educators, learning designers and administrators are aware of, and advocate for, inclusivity within post-secondary educational systems where learning communities are designed to meet the learning needs of all students. Concepts of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), mental health promotion, and communities of learning will be discussed to provide opportunities for critical reflection about learning design and teaching practices. Additionally participants will learn some practical strategies to promote inclusion in their online classes. In this interactive session, participants can expect to engage and share in a lively discussion about inclusive and mental-health-promoting online learning environments. The presenter will share strategies that facilitate inclusive teaching. While these strategies will be of value to all instructors delivering courses remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, they will be relevant post-pandemic and in diverse learning environments (e.g., face-to-face and blended course delivery).

Virtual Presentation

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