Theme 6
Technology & Well-Being
Theme 6 - Sessions
Interrupting Sedentary eLearning
Trailer Video + Handout + Presentation Slides
Session 601 (Tue May 24 - 8pm)
Chris D. Craig & Dr. Robin Kay
Over the past century, the 'sitting disease' has spread rapidly, affecting academia and business alike. The lifestyle change has had notable implications on mortality rates and quality of life. With the increasing presence of online learning, we must consider the impact of sedentary behaviours associated with eLearning for our long-term wellness. In this session, we explore and discuss the impact of online learning on physical wellbeing. We then propose elements of technology-mediated motivation, attitude, and prompts to help develop healthy movement behaviours for educators and students.
The Creation of a Bullying App to Educate and Prepare Students to be Empowered Bystanders
Presentation Video
Session 602 (Thu May 26 - 7pm)
Dr. Jennifer Laffier, Dr. Janette Hughes, Lauren Luchka, & Alexandra Feder
Bullying continues to be a problem amongst children and youth with adverse mental health impacts on the victim and bystanders. Unfortunately, some research suggests that cyberbullying increased due to increased reliance on technology over the pandemic. While there are many resources for addressing bullying, limited opportunities exist for children and youth to practice conflict resolution strategies, leading to the "Bullying App" development through Dr. Janette Hughes' STEAM Lab at Ontario Tech University. This session provides insight into the app and how educators can integrate it to support student mental health.
Responsive Online Professional Learning During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Trailer Video + Handout + Presentation Video
Session 603 (Tue May 24 - 6pm)
Dr. Janette Hughes & Dr. Laura Morrison
This qualitative ethnographic research investigated promising practices for online professional learning (PL) focused on math and coding using a maker-pedagogies approach to teaching and learning. The study took place at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and included teachers from a remote area of Northern Ontario. This session also explores the challenges of online math, coding and making PL and the educational significance and implications of the findings.
Using TikTok and Instagram to Promote Youth Mental Wellness
Handout + Presentation Video
Session 604 (Wed May 25 - 7pm)
Dr. Janette Hughes & Dr. Jennifer Laffier
This presentation discusses an innovative program that combines a critical digital citizenship approach with youth empowerment—pushing the traditional digital citizenship models found in schools beyond protectionism and risk narratives. Instead, we propose that social media, specifically TikTok and Instagram, can be used to communicate with others about mental wellness issues.
Digital Literacy and the Connection to Wellness
Session 605 (Thu May 26 - 6pm)
Mathew Johnson & Dr. Jennifer Laffier
In this presentation, we outline findings from a review of the literature and discuss the relationship between media literacy and mental health. An ongoing challenge of the 21st century and beyond is ensuring that children and youth acquire skills to participate and engage in a digital, knowledge-based economy. We also outline recommendations for developing digital literacy models through curriculum and lessons plans in schools to address students’ well-being further.
Digital Wellness in Times of Uncertainty: Considerations for Educators and Students
Presentation Video
Session 606 (Wed May 25 - 6pm)
Dr. Jennifer Laffier & Aalyia Rehman
Digital Wellness is the healthy relationship we develop with technology that allows us to flourish because we mitigate the risks and reap the benefits that our digital environments afford. Technology can positively affect our wellness, such as joy or reduction of loneliness. However, it can also contribute to stress, anxiety, or depression. Therefore, people must recognize the impacts of technology on their mental health and develop healthy relationships with technology. Building on previous research and a study focusing on social media and digital wellness, we will provide insight that can provide insight for personal and professional application in education.
The Role of Technology to Address Cyber-Bullying in Schools
Handout + Presentation Video
Session 607 (Wed May 25 - 8pm)
Lauren Luchka
Exploring the positive and negative impacts of technology on young people’s mental health has gained attention in the educational and psychological fields, especially in the area of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying has serious consequences on the mental health and well-being of youth. In a world where digital technology is an integral part of daily life, is it possible that this technology could be a promising tool to combat cyberbullying and its adverse effects? This presentation explores the current state of cyberbullying, cyberbullying intervention and prevention programs and compares and assesses their effectiveness. From this review, recommendations are made for addressing cyberbullying, including using technology as a prevention tool.
Trailer Video + Handout + Presentation Slides
Session 601 (Tue May 24 - 8pm)
Chris D. Craig & Dr. Robin Kay
Over the past century, the 'sitting disease' has spread rapidly, affecting academia and business alike. The lifestyle change has had notable implications on mortality rates and quality of life. With the increasing presence of online learning, we must consider the impact of sedentary behaviours associated with eLearning for our long-term wellness. In this session, we explore and discuss the impact of online learning on physical wellbeing. We then propose elements of technology-mediated motivation, attitude, and prompts to help develop healthy movement behaviours for educators and students.
The Creation of a Bullying App to Educate and Prepare Students to be Empowered Bystanders
Presentation Video
Session 602 (Thu May 26 - 7pm)
Dr. Jennifer Laffier, Dr. Janette Hughes, Lauren Luchka, & Alexandra Feder
Bullying continues to be a problem amongst children and youth with adverse mental health impacts on the victim and bystanders. Unfortunately, some research suggests that cyberbullying increased due to increased reliance on technology over the pandemic. While there are many resources for addressing bullying, limited opportunities exist for children and youth to practice conflict resolution strategies, leading to the "Bullying App" development through Dr. Janette Hughes' STEAM Lab at Ontario Tech University. This session provides insight into the app and how educators can integrate it to support student mental health.
Responsive Online Professional Learning During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Trailer Video + Handout + Presentation Video
Session 603 (Tue May 24 - 6pm)
Dr. Janette Hughes & Dr. Laura Morrison
This qualitative ethnographic research investigated promising practices for online professional learning (PL) focused on math and coding using a maker-pedagogies approach to teaching and learning. The study took place at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and included teachers from a remote area of Northern Ontario. This session also explores the challenges of online math, coding and making PL and the educational significance and implications of the findings.
Using TikTok and Instagram to Promote Youth Mental Wellness
Handout + Presentation Video
Session 604 (Wed May 25 - 7pm)
Dr. Janette Hughes & Dr. Jennifer Laffier
This presentation discusses an innovative program that combines a critical digital citizenship approach with youth empowerment—pushing the traditional digital citizenship models found in schools beyond protectionism and risk narratives. Instead, we propose that social media, specifically TikTok and Instagram, can be used to communicate with others about mental wellness issues.
Digital Literacy and the Connection to Wellness
Session 605 (Thu May 26 - 6pm)
Mathew Johnson & Dr. Jennifer Laffier
In this presentation, we outline findings from a review of the literature and discuss the relationship between media literacy and mental health. An ongoing challenge of the 21st century and beyond is ensuring that children and youth acquire skills to participate and engage in a digital, knowledge-based economy. We also outline recommendations for developing digital literacy models through curriculum and lessons plans in schools to address students’ well-being further.
Digital Wellness in Times of Uncertainty: Considerations for Educators and Students
Presentation Video
Session 606 (Wed May 25 - 6pm)
Dr. Jennifer Laffier & Aalyia Rehman
Digital Wellness is the healthy relationship we develop with technology that allows us to flourish because we mitigate the risks and reap the benefits that our digital environments afford. Technology can positively affect our wellness, such as joy or reduction of loneliness. However, it can also contribute to stress, anxiety, or depression. Therefore, people must recognize the impacts of technology on their mental health and develop healthy relationships with technology. Building on previous research and a study focusing on social media and digital wellness, we will provide insight that can provide insight for personal and professional application in education.
The Role of Technology to Address Cyber-Bullying in Schools
Handout + Presentation Video
Session 607 (Wed May 25 - 8pm)
Lauren Luchka
Exploring the positive and negative impacts of technology on young people’s mental health has gained attention in the educational and psychological fields, especially in the area of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying has serious consequences on the mental health and well-being of youth. In a world where digital technology is an integral part of daily life, is it possible that this technology could be a promising tool to combat cyberbullying and its adverse effects? This presentation explores the current state of cyberbullying, cyberbullying intervention and prevention programs and compares and assesses their effectiveness. From this review, recommendations are made for addressing cyberbullying, including using technology as a prevention tool.
Other Themes