Keep Calm and Relax On…On Demand

written by Sarah Wood, Education Technology Consultant for Kent ISD

In the 2020-2021 school year for high school students, each day has been relatively the same. The distance between friends and classmates, masks covering faces that would otherwise be exchanging nonverbal messages, and a device set up in the corner of the room so that those joining virtually can connect with those learning in person. Despite the virtual/digital connections, a handful of students are experiencing agitation, having a hard time focusing, and are having trouble completing work.

Although there are many visible differences from previous years, sometimes it is the things that are not visible that can weigh heavily on students and leave them seeking a refuge for relaxation, peace, and mental or physical relief. There are some things that can be made accessible to students to help them learn to manage their feelings and emotions.  Utilizing technology to make resources available is just one way that teachers can help support the emotional and mental health of students.

Virtual Relaxation Rooms

One on-demand resource that teachers can create to provide social, emotional, and mental health resources for their students is through Virtual Relaxation Rooms.  Rooted in culturally responsive teaching practices, it starts with teachers having a deep understanding of the beliefs, culture, and behaviors of the students in their class.  What excites their students?  What is valued by students based on their home life or peer interactions?  What do the students personally need to be successful in their learning?  These are just a few things to keep in mind when analyzing known Virtual Relaxation Rooms and how they might fit the needs of students.  What might be considered a relaxing environment for the teacher might not be considered a relaxing environment by the students.  

Not sure what a relaxation room looks like?  Check out my Virtual Relaxation Room!

Technology as a Tool

As our current education landscape has limited some of the physical, hands-on interactions we have in a face-to-face learning atmosphere, it has also provided an opportunity for technology resources to be leveraged in new ways.  Previously, fidget tools were commonly found in classrooms to help students concentrate or inconspicuously redirect attention.  Though some fidgets can be distracting, digital fidgets provide students a way of momentarily redirecting their attention without drawing attention to their physical movements.  Keeping redirected attention confined within a screen, provides the intended outcome for the student in need without disrupting the whole class.  What kinds of digital fidgets are out there?  There are fidget spinners, sand swirling, bubble wrap, and so much more! 

Social-Emotional Well Being

Though the creation of a Virtual Relaxation Room can be daunting to some, the social and emotional outcomes it provides for students should hopefully be worth the time invested by teachers.  Many schools have adopted SEL (Social Emotional Learning) curriculums this school year, and Virtual Relaxation Rooms can serve as a complementary, on-demand resource to support these curriculums and goals.  For example, the CASEL Schoolwide SEL Essentials Guide has an indicator of “Supportive school and classroom climates” which focuses on “Schoolwide and classroom learning environments are supportive, culturally responsive, and focused on building relationships and community.”  According to SEL studies done by CASEL, students who received quality SEL instruction had:

• Better academic performance: achievement scores are an average of 11 percentile points higher than students who did not receive SEL instruction.
• Improved attitudes and behaviors: greater motivation to learn, deeper commitment to school, increased time devoted to schoolwork, and better classroom behavior.
• Fewer negative behaviors: decreased disruptive class behavior, noncompliance, aggression, delinquent acts, and disciplinary referrals.
• Reduced emotional distress: fewer reports of student depression, anxiety, stress, and social withdrawal.

What better way than to bring SEL to life digitally with an engaging Virtual Relaxation Room?!  

Learning to Create Your Own Virtual Relaxation Room

So, what can you do to bring a Virtual Relaxation Room to your digital classroom learning environment?  You can start off by registering for the “Create Your Own Virtual Relaxation Room with Google Slides” (asynchronous) professional learning opportunity.  This focuses on how you can leverage culturally responsive teaching strategies, instructional design, and Universal Design for Learning to create a Virtual Relaxation Room for your students to bring a bit of calm, relaxation, and zen into their hectic lives right now. 

#CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #SocialEmotionalLearning #WeLeadLearning #KentISDpd