The course includes three sessions. Using an online tool, teachers have the opportunity to reflect on their own teaching strategies to implement legislative requirements, and to make the link with research evidence by identifying effective strategies which promote resilience and engagement.
The first session investigates the policy guidelines on wellbeing and safety established by schools and systems to meet curriculum and legislative requirements. The session provides teachers with the opportunity to explore the information and appropriate links across all sectors of education.
The second session links evidence-based research on best practice using an array of media including video, web pages and journal articles on the importance of wellbeing and safety for effective learning. Teachers investigate current research findings in five areas to identify an issue of importance to them and implement a wellbeing strategy in their classroom. Teachers then use this thinking to make an explicit link between legislation and best practice.
The final session reinforces the idea that teachers are part of a professional community and have accountabilities which must be met to ensure students’ safety and wellbeing needs are met. The ongoing access to the discussion board allows teachers to apply this learning, report to other colleagues and receive feedback through their own school’s supervision and professional development policies.