How EdTech Can Support Social and Emotional Learning at School and at Home

Abstract

There is a need to move away from a narrow focus on just academic outcomes, to one that considers the long-term development and well-being of children, a whole child approach (Association of Supervisors and Curriculum Developers (ASCD), 2020). When we think about teaching the whole child, we should think about providing a healthy, safe, engaging, supportive, and challenging classroom experience (The Whole Child, 2015). As part of educating the whole child, we need to consider children’s social and emotional learning. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) defines social and emotional learning (SEL) as the process in which individuals “manage emotions, set and achieve goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions” and includes a framework with five core competencies (CASEL – What is SEL?, 2019, para. 1).