SEL for Students: A Path to Social Emotional Well-Being

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/sel-for-students

Introduction

**Course Review: SEL for Students: A Path to Social Emotional Well-Being on Coursera** In an increasingly complex educational landscape, the need for programs that foster social and emotional skills has never been more critical. The course "SEL for Students: A Path to Social Emotional Well-Being," taught by the knowledgeable Emily Price, offers educators insightful and research-backed perspectives on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in preK-12 contexts. As part of the five-course specialization “The Teacher and Social Emotional Learning (SEL)”, this course serves as a foundational stepping stone for anyone interested in integrating SEL effectively in school settings. ### Course Overview The course delves into the concept of social emotional well-being, placing it at the intersection of contemporary educational reform and achievement. Beginning with a comprehensive introduction to SEL, the course sets the context for understanding its relevance and applications in schools today. Throughout the syllabus, the curriculum is designed to guide educators through the various stages of SEL development, from its historical origins and theoretical frameworks to practical applications across different educational levels. ### Key Components of the Course 1. **Social Emotional Well-Being for Students**: In the initial week, participants explore the definition of social emotional well-being and its connection to academic achievement. This framing is crucial for educators aiming to enhance not only academic performance but also the holistic development of their students. 2. **The Field of SEL: Purposes and Origins**: This module traces the rise of SEL, revealing how concepts like multiple intelligence and emotional intelligence paved the way for its prominence in education. Understanding these foundations helps educators appreciate the complexity and necessity of SEL in modern schooling. 3. **SEL Program Formats and Characteristics of Effective Programs**: Here, the course emphasizes the variety of SEL programs available, focusing on their effectiveness, target audiences, and implementation strategies. Educators gain valuable tools for program evaluation, which is essential for selecting or adapting SEL frameworks for their unique educational settings. 4. **SEL Across the Developmental Spectrum: Early Childhood and Elementary**: In this section, the course shifts focus to the implementation of SEL in younger age groups. It encourages educators to critically assess the usefulness and accessibility of different SEL programs tailored to early learners, promoting the idea that children can develop these skills early on in their educational journeys. 5. **SEL Across the Developmental Spectrum: Middle and High School**: The final focus shifts to older students, addressing the particular significance of SEL during these critical years. By exploring programs for middle and high school contexts, educators can better understand the challenges their students face and how SEL can foster resilience and emotional intelligence at a pivotal time in their lives. ### Recommendations This course is highly recommended for educators, school counselors, and administrators looking to enhance their understanding of social emotional learning and its practical applications in the classroom. With its research-backed content and a focus on real-world application, it equips participants with the skills needed to tailor SEL programs that meet their students' diverse needs. Not only does this course provide valuable insights into SEL's historical and theoretical underpinnings, but it also offers practical tools for evaluating and implementing SEL programs effectively. The course's accessibility and engaging format make it a valuable resource for anyone passionate about improving the social and emotional landscape of their educational environments. ### Conclusion In conclusion, "SEL for Students: A Path to Social Emotional Well-Being" is a meaningful addition to any educator's professional development journey. With its comprehensive curriculum and focus on both theory and practice, this course provides a robust framework for understanding and implementing SEL in schools. Whether you are new to the concept of social emotional learning or seeking to deepen your existing knowledge, this course will undoubtedly empower you to create positive, supportive learning environments that benefit both students and educators alike. Enroll today on Coursera to take the first step on this essential path to fostering social emotional well-being in our schools.

Syllabus

Social Emotional Well-Being for Students

This course focuses on SEL for its most common audience – students in P-12 school-based contexts. We begin this exploration by introducing the concept of social emotional well-being in Week 1. We explore what social emotional well-being is and investigate the relationship between it and the current emphasis on achievement in educational reform. Then, we highlight SEL as one means of developing social emotional well-being, positioning it in relation to other approaches, while highlighting our course’s focus on SEL programs and theories.

In this section of the course, we trace the origins of the field of SEL, identifying how a perceived need for greater attention to children’s social and emotional development in schools grew in part from the popularization of theories of multiple intelligence and emotional intelligence in the mid to late 1990s. We identify other educational theories that support this work before attending to a discussion of what SEL is, identified primarily through its goals, purposes, and aims.

In this section of the course, we attend to the ways in which school-based SEL programs differ with regard to scope, focus, audience and mode of infusion. Additionally, we take up general considerations of the characteristics of effective programs and practices with the intent of providing participants the tools necessary to evaluate specific SEL programs.

The focus in this section of the course is on SEL programs in early childhood education and in elementary schools. We aim to provide a broad overview of programs on the market, and considerations specific to “doing SEL” with young children. Additionally, we aim to challenge participants to evaluate the usefulness of various programs for their own purposes with respect to the criteria and considerations identified in Week 3.

The focus in this section of the course is on SEL programs in middle and high school contexts. We aim to provide a broad overview of programs on the market, considerations specific to “doing SEL” with older students, and an exploration of why SEL is particularly important at this stage in development. Additionally, we will highlight YPAR as one means of critically attending to principles of SEL as a preview of the focus of Course B. Finally, we aim to challenge participants to evaluate the usefulness of various programs for their own purposes with respect to the criteria and considerations identified in Week 2.