Protecting the mental well being of our children during and after public health emergencies – digital training for teachers and educators Erasmus Project

Project Title

Protecting the mental well being of our children during and after public health emergencies – digital training for teachers and educators

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Partnerships for Digital Education Readiness

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Health and wellbeing; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; ICT – new technologies – digital competences

Project Summary

The present Covid-19 pandemic has forced the education community to change teaching methods and processes more rapidly than any other time in recent human history. ProWell aims to support this rapid change through innovative teaching and learning using digital technologies. It aims to build competencies and digital skills and provide necessary knowledge to teachers and other educators as a way of better supporting children during and after adverse public health emergency situations.

The training developed within the ProWell project will support teachers and educators such as sports coaches, recreational group leaders (dance etc), childcare professionals, nursery teachers etc. by offering guidance and motivation in order for them to support children during public health emergencies when disruption of social structures (as everyone is experiencing) becomes everyday practice. Teachers and educators have a pivotal role in maintaining social cohesion and establishing for children a reality and normalcy which is vital for their well being and mental health. Through on line training we will support, guide and motivate towards enabling this goal. Teachers well prepared for public health emergencies can act as important role models for children by supporting them through undeniably very challenging circumstances. The ongoing pandemic will serve as an example but the training developed can be applied in any public health emergency.

The project objectives are:
(1) To observe, identify and analyze training needs and opportunities in the field of mental health support for students specifically as a response to public health emergencies
(2) To support the development of blended and distance training on the promotion of mental health wellbeing of children and young people during and after major public health emergencies
(3) Support the development of innovative online resources and tools for teachers and educators
(4) Increase teachers’ and educators’ awareness and preparedness skills in regards to supporting children and young people during and after major public health emergencies
(5) Enhance partner capabilities to develop and deliver relevant training
(6) Increase awareness and skills of communities, organizations, and other stakeholders on the newly produced training and the importance of promoting mental wellbeing in times of
public health emergencies
(7) Raise awareness and create relevant networks across the EU.

The main activities include:
(1) Mapping of EU and national relevant training
(2) Focus groups to give voice to the target groups in terms of training needs and expectations
(3) Development of an e-learning platform and through it the relevant training of the target groups
(4) Guidance for VET providers and academic institutions

The consortium includes 7 partners from Germany, France, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Spain and Croatia. The methodology includes mapping and research activities to describe the state of the art while participatory research will ensure that the target group’s needs and expectations are taken into consideration especially since this is a new situation the effects of which are only now being studied. Training will be available from an e-learning platform. The “Guidance and recommendations for VET trainers” will provide guidelines for VET providers and stakeholders for further exploitation of the training. Multiplier events will enhance exchange of knowledge between the target groups, VET and service providers, and relevant authorities at local/regional level, professional associations, academic institutions, government services and policymakers at national/European level.

Pro WELL will train over 21 staff members and 140 members of the target group through the e-learning platform. Through the multiplier events over 200 participants will be approached, while through the project dissemination an audience of more than 1,000 stakeholders will be reached.

The expected results for the professionals involved (teachers and educators) as well as staff of participating organizations upon completion of this project includes:
• Increased awareness and knowledge regarding (a) relevant training opportunities and existing approaches (b) knowledge about training gaps and needs of the target groups
• Enhanced knowledge and digital skills regarding active involvement of teachers and educators in promoting mental health of children through digital means, development of social
competence and self regulation skills.

The long term impact of the project is to improve the abilities of teachers and educators to support children and young people during and after public health emergencies. It will provide hands-on guidelines, evaluated practices and material that can be easily adopted by anyone interested. Furthermore, the e-learning platform, available in multiple languages, will be accessible after project completion.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 282621 Eur

Project Coordinator

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET DRESDEN & Country: DE

Project Partners

• OSENGO
• UNIVERSITAT DE VALENCIA
• INSTITUT DRUSTVENIH ZNANOSTI IVO PILAR
• Associazione Tages Onlus
• CSI CENTER FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION LTD
• PROLEPSIS Civil Law Non Profit Organization of Preventive Environmental and Occupational Medicine