My topic for the interactive learning resource focuses on maintaining mental health in university. I chose a TedX video from speaker Hailey Hardcastle that discusses the prevalence of mental health difficulties in students and how to effectively prioritize mental health in academic settings. This video is a valuable examination of the stigma surrounding mental health and the benefits of allowing students to take mental health days while in school.
Why you should take a break: Prioritizing mental health in schools | Hailey Hardcastle | TEDxSalem
- What kind of interaction would the video require from your students? Does it force them to respond in some way (inherent)?
This video does not inherently force interaction from students, as it is just a discussion of mental health stigma and challenges often faced by students. Students are able to sit back and watch the video without necessarily participating in an interactive activity that encompasses behavioural teaching principles
2. In what way are they likely to respond to the video on their own, e.g. make notes, do an activity, think about the topic (learner-generated)?
Although this video does not have inherent interactivity, it does have an element of user-generated interactivity. The themes and personal stories within the TedX talk are highly thought provoking and encourage listeners to reflect and respond emotionally to the discussion. Learners could engage in responding to the video through various forms, likely by taking notes, journaling their reflection, or thinking about their own experiences with mental health stigma in school.
3. What activity could you suggest that they do, after they have watched the video (designed)? What type of knowledge or skill would that activity help develop? What medium or technology would students use to do the activity?
This video talks about a student led campaign in Oregon that pushed a bill allowing students to take mental health days just like sick days to be implemented in schools. Following this video, I would suggest a groupwork activity where students would work in small groups to identify areas in the education system that could be improved to further reduce mental health stigma/challenges for students. I would ask them to work together and come up with a pitch for school administrators that would address one of these areas and the issues for students’ mental health. This activity would help to develop students’ collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creative skills. It goes beyond a traditional activity such as a quiz, and promotes a deeper sense of meaningful participation as they are learning through constructing their own idea of how mental health needs can be addressed in school. This activity could be developed virtually, through using zoom, email, or other communication platforms where students can discuss their ideas and form their pitch for change. They could decide to create a video, slideshow, or written document to present their ideas.
7. How will you address any potential barriers for your learners in the use of this video to ensure an inclusive design?
This video is available on a free, online platform (youtube) and has the option for closed captioning, which already minimizes some barriers, like financial burden or hearing impaired learners. The video is fairly short, meaning that learners do not need to devote too much attention or time in watching the video itself, which is particularly important for learners who have issues sustaining attention or who have strict time restrictions when learning. The groupwork activity connected with the video can be done entirely online, minimizing barriers in time or space contexts. While it is designed to be most effective as an interactive group activity, groupwork often requires time commitments and collaboration between individuals, which may be difficult for those who have many time limits or are living in a time zone that doesn’t line up to meet with others. As well, groupwork can be challenging for many diverse learners, it can be anxiety inducing or more problematic than productive, which is why I would include the option for learners to work by themselves and complete a pitch for change alone. This would minimize barriers in completing a groupwork activity and ensure that all learners would be able to complete the video and associated activity.
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