SEL & The Use of Technology
SEL & The Use of Technology
Social-emotional learning (SEL) has become a priority in a growing number of classrooms. Especially now as students and teachers wrestle with the changes and uncertainty brought about by school closures during the pandemic. Social-emotional learning is seeing an increase in the educational landscape. Most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic clearly illuminated the fact that academic growth and social and emotional wellness are interdependent and that educators must take into account the social and emotional aspects of a student’s reality as they consider academic development.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, social-emotional learning was essentially its own entity. It’s now, however, become connected with other instructional practices, including the use of technology. SEL and SEL practices have been designed to empower each student to have a voice and to expand their minds. For starters, educators can weave SEL concepts, like social awareness and authenticity, into their instruction, but that’s just the beginning. Bringing EdTech into the mix can take social-emotional learning to a new level.
The Benefits of Technology
One of the greatest benefits of using technology in social-emotional learning is enabling students to direct their own learning experiences. When they’re learning things they actually want to learn and care more about what they’re doing, students tend to exhibit greater engagement levels and, ultimately, achieve greater results. Incorporating technology in SEL helps students work to their strengths and enjoy a more personalized experience in the classroom. Technology tools also help with assessment in social-emotional learning. Teachers can use various tools to better understand how students are doing with SEL skill development and their overall mindsets.
Differentiation
In SEL, technology enables greater levels of personalized learning for students. They can essentially stay in their comfort zones when using tech tools. This ensures that they’re not too bored with what they’re learning nor moving too fast. With higher comfort levels often comes increased performance. Additionally, if educators have a tracking platform available, the increased access to student performance data can go a long way. It can also show how students are sticking to what needs to be learned in addition to their emotional state. Finally, technology in SEL helps students build agency. By assuming greater amounts of leadership in their own learning, they’re often able to explore more problem-solving methods and get the chance to make their own decisions.
One way to bring technology into social-emotional learning is when teaching public speaking. Many children (and adults) get nervous at the thought of public speaking, so educators can use this as an opportunity to help students manage these emotions. One example is teachers using a microphone in class and handing it to students when they have a question. This helps them feel more comfortable when contributing to a discussion or answering questions. This little bit of added real-world relevance can help them overcome a fear of speaking in front of an audience. Another way to help is by making time for students to self-reflect. Many social-emotional skills have to do with self-improvement and things students can do on their own. Reflecting on, recognizing, and recording examples of positive behavior can help them build on what they did right.
Differentiation
In SEL, technology enables greater levels of personalized learning for students. They can essentially stay in their comfort zones when using tech tools. This ensures that they’re not too bored with what they’re learning nor moving too fast. With higher comfort levels often comes increased performance. Additionally, if educators have a tracking platform available, the increased access to student performance data can go a long way. It can also show how students are sticking to what needs to be learned in addition to their emotional state. Finally, technology in SEL helps students build agency. By assuming greater amounts of leadership in their own learning, they’re often able to explore more problem-solving methods and get the chance to make their own decisions.
One way to bring technology into social-emotional learning is when teaching public speaking. Many children (and adults) get nervous at the thought of public speaking, so educators can use this as an opportunity to help students manage these emotions. One example is teachers using a microphone in class and handing it to students when they have a question. This helps them feel more comfortable when contributing to a discussion or answering questions. This little bit of added real-world relevance can help them overcome a fear of speaking in front of an audience. Another way to help is by making time for students to self-reflect. Many social-emotional skills have to do with self-improvement and things students can do on their own. Reflecting on, recognizing, and recording examples of positive behavior can help them build on what they did right.
SEL Technology Tools & Apps
Microphones/ Audio System
- It allows the other students to hear the speaker clearly, helping them be more attentive.
- The student holding the microphone is a visual cue to the other students, so they know it is the speaker’s turn.
- The student gets used to hearing their own voice and being heard by others, increasing their confidence.
1:1 Devices
- Computers, iPads, Tablets, Laptops
Class Catalyst
- This program focuses on three goals: connection, self-awareness, and self-regulation. The website provides detailed information on how Class Catalyst benefits teachers, administrators, students, and parents.
- Included with every Class Catalyst account is SEL On Demand, our customized online SEL video library, including SEL activities for students & educators, live wellbeing events for school families and communities, and customized weekly schedules for SEL implementation.
- Conflict Resolution: https://www.brainpop.com/health/psychologyandbehavior/conflictresolution/
- Setting Goals: https://www.brainpop.com/english/studyandreadingskills/settinggoals/
- Personal Hygiene: https://www.brainpop.com/english/studyandreadingskills/settinggoals/
BrainPop Jr.
- BrainPop Jr., for K to 2nd grade, is subscription-based but offers a variety of free videos, including one on bullying, at https://jr.brainpop.com/free-stuff/.
Flocabulary
- Flocabulary.com is a subscription-based service but offers a 30-day free trial. The videos are for grades K through 5 but the videos can be used for all ages. Older kids think the videos for younger kids are very funny. A favorite video is the one on Bullying, for grades 4-8.
- Flocabulary videos have a Discussion option which will pause the video at key moments for classroom discussion. It offers classroom activities such as vocabulary lists, quizzes, handouts, lesson plans, and state standards alignment.
Rocketkids on YouTube
Rocketkids videos on YouTube.com show real students talking about SEL issues. To find the videos, go to YouTube.com and search for “RocketKids” (all one word). Topics include “5 Things You Can Control,” “How To Set Goals,” “How To Change Your Mood,” and “What is Bullying (the basics)”.
GoNoodle
- GoNoodle offers movement videos which students love. A favorite one is “Take a Breath” which teaches how to relax before test-taking.
Class Dojo
- ClassDojo is a classroom communication app which allows you to award points for good behavior, among other things. Read more about it at the SpecialEdTech.net article “Apps, websites and ideas for classroom management.”
I am so glad you picked this as your topic because of how important it is currently! You provided the reader with lots of examples of online SEL programs that I was unfamiliar with. I have always used BrainPop for educational videos, but I was unaware they have SEL content. Thank you for sharing! The school that I am interning at uses an online program called Second Step. I see how the students are engaged when watching online videos, connecting it to their own lives, and having discussions about the content. Like you said, a lot of these online programs are differentiated. I see this throughout Second Step and like how it flows from lesson to lesson.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all of the wonderful resources you provided! Some I am familiar with, but others were new to me. Incorporating technology with SEL by using these resources really does increase their reach and accessibility. I also think that as you noted, this can lead to an increase in engagement. During the pandemic while dealing with remote-learning, I really struggled with keeping that connection and trust you naturally build in a classroom. I think prioritizing social emotional learning is going to continue to be an area of importance as we move through the pandemic, and any program that facilitates connecting with our emotions and talking about them is sure to be a benefit for our students.
ReplyDeleteI could not agree with this comment more! SEL is so important and these resources are wonderful! I completely agree that when students are engaged in their learning they do better overall and these websites are all fun and engaging. I have used Brain Pop and GoNoodle, but the others were new to me and I cannot wait to incorporate them into my classroom!
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ReplyDeleteThis is a great topic, and you included so many helpful resources! I am glad that SEL is becoming a much larger priority in many classrooms, as I think it was pushed to the side for a while. Incorporating technology into SEL instruction helps make the content accessible and engaging for students. All of the resources you shared are great ways to combine SEL and technology. I really like microphone idea you shared- not only is that fun and exciting for students, but it also helps them become more comfortable speaking in front a group of people. I have never heard of RocketKids before, but I really like the idea of actual students discussing SEL topics- I think students really benefit from learning from peers. Thank you for the great post!
ReplyDeleteThis is such an amazing topic, and the fact that SEL is so prominent not only in schools but society as a whole, it is important to know where to find resources both as a teacher and parent. I love how you not only included how to differentiate with SEL, but also how to bring awareness into your classroom with fun videos and pages where other students talk about issues they face. Right now, as a 6th grade teacher, I find myself integrating SEL topics into our morning discussions and through the read aloud we are sharing as a class. I believe that this concept needs to be an ongoing discussion in classrooms, not just focused on at the beginning of the year. But continually integrated into everyday conversation, norms and routines.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great topic! SEL is so important in schools and to incorporate technology with is really helps students connect. I have used goNoodle before. I also like brain pop and learning they have SEL videos is a bonus! At my school we have a designated SEL block in the morning and this would be a great time to incorporate some of these resources.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great topic since SEL is more important now than ever! I believe that as educators, even after our students adjust to their new "normal" after COVID, we should continue to incorporate SEL into our instructional practices. As teachers, it is a part of our job to help students learn crucial SEL skills, especially in elementary school. Students need to learn how to regulate their feelings, identify and express their emotions, and interact socially and regardless of COVID, students get many opportunities to learn these things in the school setting so teachers should be helping them navigate through it. I completely agree that as teachers we should be enabling students to direct their own learning experiences. Students are much more likely to be successful when they actually care about what they are learning and are given opportunities to explore and learn about their interests. I also love the list of online resources that you have included. I have used many of them myself and agree that hey can be very useful!
ReplyDeleteThis was an incredible article! SEL is more important now than ever! The pandemic turned everything kids know upside down in a matter of days to them. The were no longer in school, they were having to learn how to navigate online learning, they were unable to see their friends. Now that they are back in school it is not what it used to be. There are new rules in place, and for many the fear of getting sick. This has caused so many students to experience stress and anxiety. Giving students the tools and understanding necessary to help process what they are feeling is so important. This article provided so many great ideas and resources that would be so useful!
ReplyDeleteThis is such an important topic in classrooms! SEL is something that needs to be a focus in most if not all classrooms. Due to covid I have noticed, like many teachers, that students do not know how to be in a classroom with such different personalities. They don't know how to work together successfully without any blow ups. Since I have taken on a long term subbing position in a 2nd grade classroom, I have made sure to make SEL a daily conversation. Integrating technology is a great way to relate this topic to the students. Thank you for all the great tips and tools to use in my classroom!
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