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First Published:
April 23, 2024
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A student check-in is a dedicated time in a learning environment in which learners share information about their general wellbeing, day-to-day life, and/or thoughts on the course and academic progress. These check ins also provide a chance for learners to reflect on their own wellbeing. Students often enter learning environments distracted by other elements, such as day-to-day stressors like a difficult commute, academic stressors such as pending exams or assignments, or more critical stressors like concerns over gas or food money, unstable housing, or family/health issues.* It can be difficult to engage learners who are dealing with these stressors. Using check-in strategies has been shown to increase a sense of inclusion, support overall wellbeing, and promote engagement.
* Sometimes these issues are much broader than what a faculty member can address and students need professional support, such as from UT Health Science Center’s Learning Specialists or counseling resources. Additionally, it can be helpful to have on-hand resources like the Campus Cupboard or local shelters.
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Use the comments section below to let us know your ideas or thoughts about student check-ins.
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Using weekly five-minute check-ins can help learners feel connected to faculty and ease into professional educations settings.
Supporting learner well-being can positively impact patient care and health outcomes by building empathy.
- Identify your purpose: Before you design a check-in, be sure to think about your purpose in the check in. Do you want to know generally how your learners are doing? Do you want information about how they are feeling about an upcoming assignment? Are you concerned about a specific event? Once you’ve identified your purpose, it will be easier to develop the questions you want to ask.
- Determine a timeframe: It can be helpful to have a regular timeframe to incorporate check-ins. You may want to use a quick-check at the beginning of each lecture. Alternately, you might develop a survey you send out one Friday each month asking students to answer a few questions.
- Use a mood board: Add a themed mood board to the start of your lecture and ask participants to tell you how they are doing according to these images. The Fist-to-Five technique is a useful one if you need to do a quick check-in without the use of a visual aid.
- Incorporate technology: Use Poll Everywhere’s mood board function or use Microsoft Forms to develop a survey. You could even use Canva or Adobe Firefly to invite students to create a mood board.
- Share resources: Know campus resources available for students who share difficult situations during these check-ins. As much as faculty often want to assist students, remember your own wellbeing is important and it is more helpful to refer a student to a professional than try to work through a problem with them.
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