According to , 2012 students with higher levels of emotional, behavioral, social, and school wellbeing, on average, have higher levels of academic achievement and are more engaged in school. It’s no wonder that fostering wellbeing in the classroom has become a priority for educators. The rise of technology brings up new challenges and issues, but with AI, there are now innovative ways to support student wellbeing like never before.
In this guide, we’ll explore how AI can be a powerful ally in promoting learner wellbeing. From suggesting wellbeing exercises to providing personalised support, AI offers a variety of tools that can help you create a more supportive and engaging learning environment.
Learner wellbeing encompasses the emotional, social, and academic dimensions of a student's life. It involves feeling safe, supported, and engaged in the learning process, as well as fostering positive relationships with peers and teachers.
Wellbeing is interconnected with various aspects of an individual's life, whether educational or otherwise, and applies to everyone, regardless of their background. Research indicates that the connections between emotional, behavioral, social, and academic wellbeing, are generally consistent for children and adolescents (Gutman & Vorhaus, 2012).
Promoting wellbeing is crucial for student success and holistic development. When learners feel positive about themselves and their surroundings, they are more likely to engage actively in class, achieve better academic results, and cultivate strong social skills. However, the constant stimulation from social media and entertainment can affect students' overall wellbeing.
AI can play an important role in supporting learner wellbeing by providing insights and tools that help teachers address their students' needs. Over AI might negatively impact mental health, but only a quarter of learners agree.
Integrating AI into classroom practices can be straightforward. There are numerous ways to incorporate technology that supports student wellbeing.
AI can guide students in mindfulness practices and stress reduction, helping them develop healthy coping mechanisms.
AI-powered programs enhance social and emotional learning by providing interactive activities and personalized feedback.
AI tools help students develop empathy and compassion, fostering a more inclusive and supportive classroom environment.
Protecting student data and ensuring privacy are paramount when using AI in the classroom. Always choose tools that comply with data protection regulations and have robust security measures in place.
Address potential biases in AI algorithms and strive for equitable practices. Ensure that AI tools are designed and tested to avoid reinforcing existing biases.
Human oversight is crucial in AI applications to ensure ethical use. Teachers must be actively involved in monitoring and interpreting AI-generated data.
Select AI tools that align with your educational goals and support student wellbeing. Look for features such as real-time monitoring, personalized feedback, and data security.
Seamlessly integrate AI tools into your classroom routines. Start with small steps, such as using an AI-powered app for mindfulness sessions, and gradually expand as you become more comfortable with the technology.
Stay informed about AI and wellbeing through professional development opportunities. Attend workshops, join online communities, and read up on the latest research to enhance your understanding and skills.
AI offers a range of tools that can help you create a more supportive and engaging environment for your students. Explore our webinar on 'Building confidence in AI skills for English language teaching' and Billie Jago's AI series on .
We encourage you to explore AI tools and consider their potential benefits for student wellbeing. By integrating AI into your teaching practice, you can enhance your students' overall experience and foster a positive learning environment.
Gutman & Vorhaus (2012), The Impact of Pupil Behaviour and Wellbeing on Educational Outcomes.
In a previous blog, we shared somestrange English phrases that might have left you with some questions. The English language is full of peculiar phrases that can even confuse fluent speakers. In today's post, we'll take a look at a few more such phrases to help you expand your repertoire.
English is the second most widely spoken language – it is estimated that nearly two billion people worldwide can speak English at a useful level. That means they can hold a conversation with other English-speaking people.
A report by the attests the importance of the English language to the world, and says thatsecond-language English speakers far outnumber fluent English speakers. It also recognizes how being able to speak English can give individuals a competitive edge over others. If you're asking the question, "Why should I learn English?", read on to find out more...
What is it about music that helps boost your English skills, confidence and pronunciation? A song can provide an emotional connection between the music and the listener, providing learners with new ways to express their feelings. Music and rhythm have also been shown to benefit memorization, which is a key component of learning.
Here are some of our favorite lyrics to some of our favorite songs:
The Beatles are the best band to help you learn English. There are many Beatles songs with catchy melodies and simple lyrics, but Blackbird captures the Fab Four at their most poetic:
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
This song is a great way to help learn the days of the week (that may be obvious). Love is also a very popular English word, so this one is for all the romantics out there.
Always take a big bite
It’s such a gorgeous sight
To see you eat in the middle of the night
Another one for the lovers, Ed’s heartfelt lyrics are huge in the mainstream pop charts. Here, he tells the sweet story of long-time love in this ballad and he’s becoming one of the world’s most sought-after songwriters.
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Place your head on my beating heart
This classic from Morrissey and co was voted runner-up in VH1’s Top Lyrics poll, for the lyrics: So you go and you stand on your own, and you leave on your own, and you go home and you cry and you want to die’ but it’s the opening lines of the song that are the most intriguing. Firstly, they’re adapted from George Eliot’s novel Middlemarch and include some rather clever double meanings – namely ‘son’ (sun) and ‘heir’ (air).
I am the son
And the heir
Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar
This was Neil Young’s only number-one hit single from 1972’s Harvest album. He uses simple lyrics and melodies to tell his story of searching for true love.
I’ve been in my mind
It’s such a fine line
That keeps me searchin’ for a heart of gold
And I’m gettin’ old
U2 is the second-best band to help you learn English and frontman Bono is the second-best male artist to help you learn (edged out by Justin Timberlake). The chorus was inspired by a moment during a performance in New York City, when Bono saw the audience lit up and shouted, “Oh, you look so beautiful tonight!”
And I miss you when you’re not around
I’m getting ready to leave the ground
Oh you look so beautiful tonight
In the city of blinding lights
These lyrics are a good use of repetition and rhyme, which is excellent for helping memorization. Most people consider this a love song, but that’s a common mistake. In 1983, Sting was interviewed for New Musical Express and explained: “I think it’s a nasty little song, really rather evil. It’s about jealousy and surveillance and ownership.”
Every move you make and every vow you break
Every smile you fake, every claim you stake, I’ll be watching you
Every move you make, every step you take, I’ll be watching you
Dylan’s whimsical, poetic lyrics might be difficult for an English language learner to interpret, but that doesn’t mean they’re not a pleasure to listen and sing along to.
Hey! Mr Tambourine Man, play a song for me
I’m not sleepy and there is no place I’m going to
Hey! Mr Tambourine Man, play a song for me
In the jingle jangle morning I’ll come followin’ you
This song takes you through the daily goings-on in a typical household in the 80s. This song has been around for a while now but is a story that most people can still connect with. This is an excellent song for understanding the concept of nostalgia!
I remember way back then when
everything was true and when
we would have such a very good time
such a fine time
Sadly, Otis Redding lost his life in a plane crash shortly after this song was recorded, and it was released after his death. His lyrics are quite reflective, provoking both contentment and sadness. You can really imagine yourself sitting on the dock with his simple yet descriptive words.
Sittin’ in the morning sun
I’ll be sittin’ when the evening comes
Watching the ships roll in
Then I watch them roll away again
No list of standout turns of phrase would be complete without Leonard Cohen, a man whose songwriting process is so painstaking he’ll often spend years on the same song. When quizzed on his process, Cohen once said it often took so long because, “After a while, if you stick with the song long enough it will yield.” It’s interesting to note then that, even for a master of the English language, the words don’t always come easily. Everybody Knows remains a firm favorite among fans, with the majority of lines starting with the words ‘Everybody knows…’ It’s a lengthy song, but for the sheer beauty of its words and phrasing, the opening lines are a highlight:
Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows that the war is over
Everybody knows that the good guys lost
