Graduate-Level Credit / Non-Credit Hours
3 Semester Credits, 4.5 CEUs, or 45 Clock Hours
Course Description
This course is designed to give educators at all levels an overview of recent research on mindfulness practices and to provide step-by-step guidance on how to integrate these practices into the classroom. Participants in this course will learn what mindfulness is, why it is important, and how to creatively apply research-based mindfulness techniques in meeting the diverse learning needs of students. Attention will also be given to ways educators can use mindfulness to enhance their own professional and personal experience as teachers.
Global Goals of the Course
Upon completion of the course, the learner will be able to:
1. Develop an understanding of key concepts in the theory and research of mindfulness in general, and classroom mindfulness in particular.
2. Analyze how current findings in fields as diverse as neuroplasticity, meditation, social and emotional learning (SEL) and the psychology of gratitude can be incorporated into classroom mindfulness paradigms.
3. Become conversant in ways teachers are using mindfulness and subsidiary concepts to lessen the effects of stress and improve the quality and atmosphere of the classroom. Be able to summarize these insights to those who are unfamiliar with mindfulness.
4. Learn to creatively adapt and develop mindfulness practices in the classroom, both in the context of group activities as well as one-to-one interaction, in order better to meet the behavioral and academic challenges facing students. Also learn the role that mindfulness can play in enhancing the professional and personal experience of educators themselves.
The course was great! The information was on point and the instructor was very supportive throughout the class.
I loved the enthusiasm the instructor brought to class every day, the overall course content, and the relevant assignments.
The professor was very knowledgeable and helpful about the content area and had so many great ideas that I plan on using with my class this year and beyond. I was surprised at how many resources there are for outdoor education and how beneficial it is to kids.