We’re In This Together: Classroom Strategies and Technologies to Implement Trauma-Informed Pedagogy

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Session Materials

Brief Abstract

With growing concerns about student wellbeing in higher education, this interactive session provides an overview of trauma-informed pedagogy and its application to teaching and learning. Specific classroom strategies and technologies that address toxic stress and promote self-care for students will be highlighted.

Presenters

Extended Abstract

Ongoing trauma experienced throughout this pandemic has led to an increasing concern for student well being and mental health in the classroom. Even as students begin to re-enter the classroom, there is still a concern for how they might be coping with the effects of disease, war, climate change, violence, and threats to democracy. These sources of toxic stress can feel demoralizing and powerless.

This session provides guidance on what trauma-informed pedagogy is and how to implement it in the context we currently find ourselves in. By introducing Dr. Janice Carello’s Principles for Trauma-Informed Postsecondary Teaching and Learning (TITL), this interactive session will allow participants to think collaboratively about useful classroom strategies and supportive technologies to empower students working through toxic stress.

By attending this session, participants will be able to:

  • Recognize the impact of current global disruptions on learners and explore ways to address student well-being through trauma-informed pedagogy

  • Identify potential barriers and common misconceptions to implementing these practices in the classroom and introduce Dr. Carellos Trauma-Informed Principles for Postsecondary Teaching and Learning to address them.

  • Discover classroom strategies and concrete examples to implement the framework in class and how technology can support this.

Session Agenda

Introduction (5 min) What is trauma-informed pedagogy? Describe the context, relevance, and timeliness in today’s world.

Think-Pair-Share Activity (3 min) Identify potential barriers and common misconceptions for session participants on this topic.

Explain the principles (8 min): Focus on specific TITL principles as they relate to building support, trust, and an equitable learning community.

Application with best practices (9 min): Describe how to provide students with TITL opportunities in class and important considerations.

Brainstorm Activity (3 min): Identify trauma-informed classroom ideas from the group and what other institutions are doing.

Technology to support this (10 min): Digital storytelling and sharing through asynchronous video communications tools, discussion boards, podcasts as well as collaborative docs to build community, collaboration, and growth mindset.

Questions (7 min)