Mindfulness
“Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.” (Foundation for a Mindful Society, n.d.)
The concept of mindfulness is one that is often associated with yoga or meditation. But an article came through my email recently titled “Mindful Online Teaching and Learning.” The article was a synopsis of a conference presentation by Tiffany Guske, an expert in personal growth techniques. This inspiring information, how to use mindfulness to enhance and de-stress some of the issues related to online teaching, will be the focus of this newsletter (Venable, 2019).
The concept of mindfulness is one that is often associated with yoga or meditation. But an article came through my email recently titled “Mindful Online Teaching and Learning.” The article was a synopsis of a conference presentation by Tiffany Guske, an expert in personal growth techniques. This inspiring information, how to use mindfulness to enhance and de-stress some of the issues related to online teaching, will be the focus of this newsletter (Venable, 2019).
Why Educators Should Consider Mindfulness
“Teaching can be stressful, and as members of a service profession, teachers often put the needs of others before their own. Over time this can lead to burnout and depression. Taking time to practice and develop the qualities of mindfulness can help teachers renew their energy, motivation, and sense of well-being.” (The Mindful Teacher Foundation, n.d.)
Kevin Hawkins, in his video titled “How Can Mindfulness Help Teachers?” uses an analogy to describe why mindfulness is important. When an oxygen mask is needed on an airplane, the initial reaction for an adult is to put the oxygen mask on a child first. However, we are instructed that to be most helpful, we need to first take in the oxygen ourselves (Sage Publishing, 2017).
The demands faced by the online educator require a great deal of organization, efficiency, and effort. As an online instructor, you already realize the juggling act of establishing a social presence in the course, answering student questions, and evaluating and providing feedback on assessments. One way to relieve some of the stress is to focus on mindfulness.
“Teaching can be stressful, and as members of a service profession, teachers often put the needs of others before their own. Over time this can lead to burnout and depression. Taking time to practice and develop the qualities of mindfulness can help teachers renew their energy, motivation, and sense of well-being.” (The Mindful Teacher Foundation, n.d.)
Kevin Hawkins, in his video titled “How Can Mindfulness Help Teachers?” uses an analogy to describe why mindfulness is important. When an oxygen mask is needed on an airplane, the initial reaction for an adult is to put the oxygen mask on a child first. However, we are instructed that to be most helpful, we need to first take in the oxygen ourselves (Sage Publishing, 2017).
The demands faced by the online educator require a great deal of organization, efficiency, and effort. As an online instructor, you already realize the juggling act of establishing a social presence in the course, answering student questions, and evaluating and providing feedback on assessments. One way to relieve some of the stress is to focus on mindfulness.
Mindfulness in the Online Environment
In the article by Tiffany Guske, she relates some strategies for using mindfulness in online courses.
In the article by Tiffany Guske, she relates some strategies for using mindfulness in online courses.
- Set Timeframes and Goals
Setting clear timeframes and goals for being present and engaged in the online course will keep you focused when your “runaway brain” gets distracted. Mindfulness will help you remain attentive to course issues and avoid other distractions. Train your brain to be present in the moment. This aspect of mindfulness will be empowering as well as help alleviate stress. - Purposeful Transitions Between Tasks
Make a commitment to each task so you don’t waver from one thing to the other, which could leave you feeling anxious, lose energy, and distracted. Here is one method, as outlined in the article with Tiffany Guske:
a. Make a conscious, deliberate intention to move on to a different task with a specific, clear goal.
b. Sit tall and straight in your chair.
c. Close your eyes and take several deep breaths.
d. Move on to the next task.
Making a purposeful intention will help keep you focused and mindful on the new task at hand (Venable, 2019). - Use Mindful Communication
Through the use of mindful communication, you will increase your sense of connection with others in the virtual world. Online communication requires different strategies from face-to-face encounters. Re-read your posts, emails, and other digital items to be sure the intent of the information is clear. Build a deeper sense of awareness, be more mindful and less rushed in online communications.
Benefits of Mindful Teaching Strategies
There are a wide variety of benefits to using mindful teaching strategies in online courses. First, you will find yourself having more meaningful and deeper connections with others in a virtual world. Also, you will likely be more aware of the impact you have on your students as you delve deeper into mindfulness strategies. Last, you will have more focus and control of your daily activities which will in turn alleviate work stress (Venable, 2019).
There are a wide variety of benefits to using mindful teaching strategies in online courses. First, you will find yourself having more meaningful and deeper connections with others in a virtual world. Also, you will likely be more aware of the impact you have on your students as you delve deeper into mindfulness strategies. Last, you will have more focus and control of your daily activities which will in turn alleviate work stress (Venable, 2019).
In Conclusion . . .
This newsletter is just a brief introduction to the concept of mindful teaching. If you would like to learn more about mindfulness and how it can positively impact your personal and work life, watch the videos and read the articles listed in the References section.
This newsletter is just a brief introduction to the concept of mindful teaching. If you would like to learn more about mindfulness and how it can positively impact your personal and work life, watch the videos and read the articles listed in the References section.
References
Cohen, A., & Gonchar, M. (2017, September 7). Cultivating Mindfulness for Educators Using Resources from The New York Times. Retrieved from The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/07/learning/lesson-plans/cultivating-mindfulness-for-educators-using-resources-from-the-new-york-times.html
Foundation for a Mindful Society. (n.d.). Getting Started with Mindfulness. Retrieved October 15, 2019, from Mindful: https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/
Hannay, C. (2012, June 29). My Definition of Mindful Teaching. Retrieved from Mindful Teachers: http://www.mindfulteachers.org/2012/06/my-definition-of-mindful-teaching.html
Jennings, T. (2017, March 17). Transforming the Heart of Teaching. Retrieved from YouTube: https://youtu.be/00TSpqilzz0
Kabat-Zinn, J. (2015, May 28). Mindful Direct Pop-up Studio. Retrieved from YouTube: https://youtu.be/ULJSacYFzzQ
Live Sonima. (2015, July 6). How Minfulness can Help Teachers & Educators with Stress. Retrieved from YouTube: https://youtu.be/xDpEaQEmHQ0
Puddicombe, A. (2012). All it takes is 10 mindful minutes. Retrieved from TED - Ideas worth spreading: https://www.ted.com/talks/andy_puddicombe_all_it_takes_is_10_mindful_minutes/up-next?language=en
Sage Publishing. (2017, September 27). How can Mindfulness Help Teachers? Retrieved from YouTube: https://youtu.be/Rjc57hXNcwI
TED.com. (n.d.). Mindfulness - A collection of TED Talks on the topic of Mindfulness. Retrieved October 15, 2019, from TED: https://www.ted.com/topics/mindfulness
The Mindful Teacher Foundation. (n.d.). About Mindfulness. Retrieved October 15, 2019, from Mindful Teacher: https://www.mindfulteacher.org/mindfulness
Venable, M. (2019, March). Mindful Online Teaching and Learning: A Conversation with Tiffany Guske. Retrieved from eLearn Magazine: https://elearnmag.acm.org/featured.cfm?aid=3300202
Cohen, A., & Gonchar, M. (2017, September 7). Cultivating Mindfulness for Educators Using Resources from The New York Times. Retrieved from The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/07/learning/lesson-plans/cultivating-mindfulness-for-educators-using-resources-from-the-new-york-times.html
Foundation for a Mindful Society. (n.d.). Getting Started with Mindfulness. Retrieved October 15, 2019, from Mindful: https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/
Hannay, C. (2012, June 29). My Definition of Mindful Teaching. Retrieved from Mindful Teachers: http://www.mindfulteachers.org/2012/06/my-definition-of-mindful-teaching.html
Jennings, T. (2017, March 17). Transforming the Heart of Teaching. Retrieved from YouTube: https://youtu.be/00TSpqilzz0
Kabat-Zinn, J. (2015, May 28). Mindful Direct Pop-up Studio. Retrieved from YouTube: https://youtu.be/ULJSacYFzzQ
Live Sonima. (2015, July 6). How Minfulness can Help Teachers & Educators with Stress. Retrieved from YouTube: https://youtu.be/xDpEaQEmHQ0
Puddicombe, A. (2012). All it takes is 10 mindful minutes. Retrieved from TED - Ideas worth spreading: https://www.ted.com/talks/andy_puddicombe_all_it_takes_is_10_mindful_minutes/up-next?language=en
Sage Publishing. (2017, September 27). How can Mindfulness Help Teachers? Retrieved from YouTube: https://youtu.be/Rjc57hXNcwI
TED.com. (n.d.). Mindfulness - A collection of TED Talks on the topic of Mindfulness. Retrieved October 15, 2019, from TED: https://www.ted.com/topics/mindfulness
The Mindful Teacher Foundation. (n.d.). About Mindfulness. Retrieved October 15, 2019, from Mindful Teacher: https://www.mindfulteacher.org/mindfulness
Venable, M. (2019, March). Mindful Online Teaching and Learning: A Conversation with Tiffany Guske. Retrieved from eLearn Magazine: https://elearnmag.acm.org/featured.cfm?aid=3300202