Trauma-Aware Online Teaching
Karen Costa for OLC Ideate
@karenraycosta
http://www.karencostawriter.com/bio
April 2020
checking in
In the chat, please type one word or phrase that describes how you’re feeling in this moment.
defining trauma
defining trauma
an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.
multitudes
conversations about trauma should include awareness of our individual and collective strengths
trauma’s impacts
trauma’s impacts
Executive function and self-regulation skills are the mental processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully. -Center for the Developing Child, Harvard University
trauma’s impacts
Stress and trauma redirect our brains toward survival mode and away from executive functions.
trauma-aware
online teaching
missouri model
0
Pre-Trauma Aware
2
Trauma Sensitive
4
Trauma Informed
3
Trauma Responsive
1
Trauma Aware
trauma-aware
School staff have been informed about trauma, including historical and community trauma, are able to comfortably speak to its impacts, and have begun to consider how to translate that information into changes within the school.
educators’ scope of practice?
YES | NO |
empathy | counseling |
anti-racist, apply DEI principles | ignores equity concerns |
recognize the probability of trauma in your classroom | try to assess individual trauma histories |
develop self-awareness | overly focused on behaviors of others |
curious about impact of trauma on pedagogy | rigidity or overreliance on what worked for you as a learner |
online learning affordances
Five principles of trauma-informed care
SAFETY Common areas are welcoming and privacy is respected
CHOICE Individual has choice and control
COLLABORATION Making decisions with the individual and sharing power
TRUSTWORTHINESS Task clarity, consistency, and interpersonal boundaries
EMPOWERMENT Individuals feel validated and affirmed
scenario 1
You are hosting a synchronous session for your students in Zoom. Several of your students don’t turn on their cameras.
What is a trauma-aware response?
scenario 2
A student is consistently missing course deadlines and has alluded to personal challenges.
What is a trauma-aware response?
scenario 3
I want to design a trauma-aware online course.
What is a trauma-aware approach?
share one...
Question
Key Takeaway
Resource
Idea