Embedding wellbeing in higher education
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Funded by Office for Students, we aim to embed and sustain positive practices that support mental wellbeing for part-time, commuter and distance learning students.
We do this by building positive learner identities, positive digital communities, and positive pedagogies. |
/ Positive learner identities
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A two-year participatory project, led by the Open University, building partnerships between academics, students, advisors and sector bodies
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Part-time, distance and commuter students
In 2018-19, over 500,000 students studied part-time; over 600,000 students were classified as commuters and over 370,000 studied at a distance. It is recognised that these students are ‘harder to hear’, that different levels of engagement with a campus environment can impact sense of belonging, wellbeing and academic outcomes, and that part time, distance and commuter students can experience barriers to accessing support. These groups can also be more likely to experience issues with mental wellbeing; in the OU 16,844 students (10%) disclose a mental health issue and have experienced persistent gaps in degree outcomes.
Positive digital practices
To support mental wellbeing for distance, commuter and part-time students, we will co-create resources and initiatives to scale up positive practices in three areas:
● Positive learner identities, including emotional awareness, encouraging help seeking behaviour, recognising achievements and valuing learning opportunities
● Positive digital communities, that support students’ sense of belonging and purpose, provide informal peer support and facilitate meaningful connections that do not rely on a campus environment
● Positive pedagogies, that support learners to take part in and demonstrate technology-enhanced learning in a way that is inclusive and supports mental wellbeing
Read about the project, see our blog or get in touch to find out more.
● Positive learner identities, including emotional awareness, encouraging help seeking behaviour, recognising achievements and valuing learning opportunities
● Positive digital communities, that support students’ sense of belonging and purpose, provide informal peer support and facilitate meaningful connections that do not rely on a campus environment
● Positive pedagogies, that support learners to take part in and demonstrate technology-enhanced learning in a way that is inclusive and supports mental wellbeing
Read about the project, see our blog or get in touch to find out more.
Project partners
