The SE-Learn Online Professional Development Platform for Enhanced Social Emotional Learning with Students

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Abstract Considerable evidence demonstrates how children’s social emotional (SE) development plays a significant role in their academic achievement, behavior, and emotional wellbeing. As the scientific base has grown supporting the positive impact of social and emotional learning (SEL) instructional practices, efforts to integrate SEL into academic settings has gained momentum, with teachers increasingly called upon to provide SEL instruction and foster the SE competencies of their students. Unfortunately, however, teacher education programs typically provide little, if any, instruction and training specifically in SEL. This SBIR project will address this gap by developing an innovative and effective technology-driven professional development (PD) product for educators. In Phase 1, we will develop a software prototype of the e-learning platform, test its feasibility and usability with elementary grade teachers, and conduct focus groups with administrative stakeholders to determine acceptability and value of the planned full product. The proposed product will increase educators’ understanding of SE competencies and SEL instructional practices, and thereby increase the quality and quantity of SEL instruction delivered to students.