Pedagogies of Care and Student Mental Health in Digital Learning Environments

Concurrent Session 5

Brief Abstract

This session will explore the broader movements in teaching and learning that support student mental health and wellbeing, especially in digital learning environments. Participants will learn about resources to support ongoing development in pedagogies of care, student mental health, and trauma-informed practices.

Presenters

Lead Presenter: Josh Herron, Online Learning Consortium

Co-presenter: Blair Stamper, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Dr. Blair Stamper is an Instructional Designer (ID) with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Blair Stamper, LLC as well as a public speaker. As an ID, she works with faculty to create student-centered and active online courses that align with high quality standards. Her passions lie in student success, active learning, and access, equity, and inclusion in online courses. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Michigan State University and Arizona State University. Blair shares her expertise with her online blog, social media (Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest), podcast, and through mentoring. Blair began working in education as a middle school math and science teacher in 2012. Using her experiences with curriculum design as a teacher and her love for technology, Blair found her true niche in the instructional design field in 2015. After 7.5 years as an ID, Blair’s passion for sharing her expertise with the online learning field has led her to being published in Educause Review, an active member with Educause, Online Learning Consortium, UPCEA, and the creation of her Be an Instructional Design Rockstar podcast. Blair’s research focuses on instructional design practices including relationships between IDs and faculty during online course developments. She has also explored access, equity, and inclusive practices and active learning in online courses. Blair has also served as the Managing Editor for Current Issues in Education and a reviewer for multiple academic journals. Blair is a graduate of Arizona State University (2022, Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Innovation), the Online Learning Consortium's Institute for Emerging Leaders in Online Learning (2018), Michigan State University (2015, Master of Arts in Educational Technology), and University of Michigan-Dearborn (2012, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education).

Extended Abstract

The increasing awareness of the importance of student mental health and wellbeing has led to a number of strategies and solutions to consider. This session will explore the broader movements in teaching and learning that support student mental health and wellbeing, especially in digital learning environments. Participants will learn about resources to support ongoing development in pedagogies of care, student mental health, and trauma-informed practices.