Trauma-informed online education - developing a world-first framework

In a significant step towards addressing the educational needs of children affected by conflict, Tara Mannix and Mike Phillips, co-directors of the Monash Virtual School, recently participated in a workshop at the Monash University Prato Centre in Italy. Their goal was to contribute to the development of a pioneering model of trauma-informed practice in online education, with a focus on supporting children displaced by the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The workshop, led by Dr. Emily Berger from the School of Educational Psychology and Counselling, included specialists from the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, the Monash School of Psychological Sciences, and various NGOs. These organisations, including Classrooms Without Walls and Smart Osvita, are key partners in the Monash Virtual School's efforts to facilitate educational opportunities in Ukraine.

This collaborative project, supported by seed funding from the Monash Incubator Grants Scheme, aims to create and pilot a world-first framework for trauma-informed practice in online education over the next nine months. This innovative framework is designed to ensure that online learning environments are both safe and nurturing for children who have been displaced by conflict.

By focusing on the development of this unique model, the Monash Virtual School and its partners are taking a comprehensive approach to meet the educational and emotional needs of war-impacted children. This initiative not only seeks to provide educational continuity in times of crisis but also to establish a global benchmark for trauma-informed online education.

The commitment to creating a supportive and effective online learning environment for children in crisis situations underscores the importance of addressing both educational and psychological wellbeing. This world-first framework represents a forward-thinking solution to the challenges faced by displaced children, offering hope and a path forward in their educational journey.