Innovative web approach for advancing and sustaining VET learners’ wellbeing and mental health

Topic(s) addressed

This project addresses health and wellbeing. It also explores innovative curricula, educational methods, and the development of training courses. Finally, it looks at overcoming basic and transversal skill mismatches.

Target group(s)

The target groups consist of 500 learners, 350 teachers, educators, trainers, and professionals, and 50 psychologists.

Methodologies

The project analysed wellbeing and mental health through examining psychological, social, cognitive, and physical health.

Students' wellbeing and mental health, including personal, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills were explored. The methodology of reflective and problem-oriented preparation of scenarios anchored in the context of learners' everyday activities was used. This project used challenge-based learning with the WebQuest methodology.

Innovation environment

By creating a virtual, challenge-based learning environment, the project aimed to promote and strengthen wellbeing in school. This project adopted a new learning approach which involved active, constructive learning processes that help learners acquire knowledge, skills, and attitudes, in a sustainable and creative manner, by building their own understanding of the issues. This is critical for enhancing wellbeing. The WebQuest method requires multitasking, which contributes to building a range of wellbeing skills.

Teachers’ role

There was a transfer of skills which involved the elaboration of a full-cycle navigation tool to help VET teachers acquire new skills. The teachers applied new learning approaches in practice. They were also tasked with developing their own WebQuest-based-activities in various subject areas. Another skill they had to acquire was the use of innovative teaching approaches for challenge-based learning. They also had to promote wellbeing in the classroom through collaboration with other teachers and educational psychologists.

Impact and output

For students, their wellbeing was enhanced by providing them with an understanding of the factors that influence their wellbeing. This was achieved through the development of a four-pillar framework of wellbeing, by encouraging learners to review and continually improve their psychological, cognitive, social, and physical wellbeing. For teachers, pedagogical approaches related to challenge-based learning and the promotion of wellbeing in the classroom have been enhanced through the development of a full-cycle navigation tool to support them in applying the project results.

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