On the 15th April at 2pm in DG10 in Bea Orpen on Dublin City University’s Glasnevin campus, Julie-Ann Sime and Chryssa Themeli from Lancaster University will give a very interesting talk as part of the NIDL’s visiting scholar series. Please do consider coming along as the talk is open to everyone!
Title: Mapping the Territory of Digital Wellbeing Interventions
Outline: We live in a highly digitally connected Europe where people of all ages use the internet to connect, communicate, explore and learn through digital media, however a recent JISC study reported that educators in Higher Education institutions are concerned about the wellbeing of their students in digital settings. In addition, the Opening Up education report shows that 70% educators in the EU understand the importance of digital literacy but only 20-25% students are taught by digitally confident educators. Improving the digital literacy of educators is required particularly in the area of digital wellbeing. Higher Education institutions are becoming increasingly aware of the consequences of digital overload on mental health of individual students, the societal impacts on relationships such as cyberbullying, technical issues such as cybersecurity and the addictive design of technology, fake news and the controversies surrounding radicalisation and challenges to democracy. The Digital Wellbeing Educators Project (funded by ERASMUS+ programme of the European Union) aims to increase the capacity of educators in Higher Education institutions to integrate digital education to promote the wellbeing of their students. This presentation aims to raise awareness and map the territory of existing digital wellbeing interventions by showcasing some examples primarily from Europe. The next phase of the project will see the development of an app and teacher’s digital pedagogy toolkit to support educators in developing their own digital competences and making their teaching more digital.
Dr. Julie-Ann Sime, Lancaster University
Julie-Ann is an educational researcher and a pioneer of online distance learning who has been teaching online for 25 years. She researches into the use of new technologies in teaching and learning in professional contexts, including: use of video for reflection, game-based learning and team training of professionals in 3D virtual worlds. She is co-editor of a new book on Networked Learning: Reflections and Challenges (2018).
Dr. Chryssa Themeli, Lancaster University
Chryssa is an educational researcher focusing on research that changes practice and thinking, teaching that transforms people’s lives and engages actively with students, businesses and communities. As research assessor, she evaluates UKERI proposals for the British council and European Union proposals for H2020 FET Innovation Launchpad Calls.
Digital Learning Dispatches 