Whatever field we are in, whatever subjects we are teaching, we are likely immersed in technology (including GenAI) for most of our social, professional, or personal needs. Thus, understanding and maintaining digital well-being is crucial for educators in order to navigate this digital age effectively. This module supports educators in exploring the PERMA (positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, accomplishment) framework, a comprehensive positive psychology model, in order to thrive in teaching and learning in the age of GenAI. It addresses the psychological and emotional challenges of using GenAI and promotes positive and meaningful engagement with those platforms.

First key questions:

1. How do GenAI technologies simultaneously enhance and challenge our well-being?
2. Are you able to use technologies (including GenAI) to support your personal health, safety, and relationships?
3. We discussed some GenAI uglies including overreliance, data privacy and protection, and environmental issues. What have you done to manage pitfalls, especially when they impact your health?
4. What strategies do you use to maintain authenticity in digital interactions, especially with GenAI?

Staying Digitally Healthy with the PERMA Framework

(Adapted from Digital Pedagogy Toolbox: Cultivating Digital Well-Being as a Social Practice with the PERMA Framework)

The PERMA Framework (Seligman, 2012) provides five building blocks for well-being: positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. Below, we examine each facet through reflective questions and interactive activities.

Positive emotion

Positive emotion is a feeling of joy, hope, and contentment (Seligman, 2012). Positive emotion refers to what makes you feel good. It doesn’t mean you engage only in the positive, smiley aspects of teaching and learning with GenAI. You also need to acknowledge the negatives of engagement with GenAI platforms, reduce stressors, and promote positive coping mechanisms and resilience when working with these tools.

Reflective questions

When you think about your relationship with GenAI technologies, is it positive or negative? Are you experiencing any stress or anxiety? If so, what can you do to reduce negative emotions?

Engagement

Engagement is feeling attached and involved, and the ability to concentrate on activities (Seligman, 2012). Think of the engagement facet as “flow” (Csikszentmihayi, 2002), which occurs when you use your strengths to face challenges presented in an activity. The engagement facet leads you toward creating meaningful opportunities for yourself and your students to link with strengths and interests so they can become one with activities they do online.

Reflective questions

By engaging when using GenAI technologies, are you getting in the flow?

Do GenAI platforms give you the chance to collaborate with others, share stories, relax, or find quality time to live in the present moment?

Relationships

Relationships mean feeling connected, supported, and cared about (Seligman, 2012). As humans are inherently social, it is very important to promote opportunities for collaboration and interaction within and among teams.

Reflective questions

Are you able to use GenAI to make new connections or strengthen relationships?

Are you able to avoid negative relationships and interactions via these technologies?

Meaning

Meaning refers to feeling valued and connected to something greater than the self (Seligman, 2012). As Seligman discussed, an intrinsic human quality is the search for meaning and the need to have a sense of value and worth. The meaning pathway suggests promoting regular reflection and finding ways to connect learning activities to the values and holistic purposes of the course.

Reflective question

Does your use of GenAI help you achieve greater meaning?

Accomplishment

Accomplishment means feeling capable or having a sense of achievement and mastery of work. It is a result of working and progressing toward goals. Through the accomplishment block, think of practices that help you and your students build intrinsic self-motivation in setting goals and having a strong determination to finish what they set out to do.

Reflective questions

Does using GenAI help you aim higher?

Does using GenAI allow time to celebrate little things?

Summary

This module encouraged educators to approach GenAI integration holistically by applying the PERMA framework to navigate the psychological and emotional challenges of digital engagement. Through reflective practices and actionable strategies, educators can thrive in digital environments while promoting meaningful, positive interactions with technology.

Final Reflection

Growing Your Digital Wellbeing Flower 🌸🌷🌼🪷🌺🌻

1. Take a piece of paper and draw a flower with multiple petals. Just focus on the drawing—let your creativity flow.
2. Imagine that each petal represents a different aspect of digital wellbeing such as healthy screen time, positive interactions with tools and others, etc.
3. Label each petal with the aspect it represents.
4. Colour your flower based on how well you think you’re nurturing each aspect. Use vibrant colors for strengths and lighter shades for areas needing improvement.

If you’re inspired to go further:

• Around your flower, draw or write strategies or plans to help each aspect bloom.
• Draw some gardening tools to symbolize features, tools, or resources you use to maintain your digital wellbeing.
• Under your flower image, write one specific action that you will take today, this week, or in the coming weeks to cherish your flower.