YES4eLearning – Tools and Strategies for Supporting the Adaptation to E- Learning in HE Sector

Since the declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, public health, including mental well-being, has been under threat, forcing millions of individuals, from educators and researchers to students, into government-mandated safety measures such as isolation and global lockdowns. These extended lockdowns have severely limited physical access to classrooms, impacting approximately 1.5 billion school and university students worldwide due to institutional closures. As a result, online classes emerged as a crucial alternative during this unprecedented time, demanding rapid adaptation from both educators and students. While e-learning offers advantages, its lack of in-person interaction led to concerns about lower quality compared to traditional education. Consequently, individuals face various psychological challenges, including sadness, anxiety, depression, and motivation issues. To enhance the quality of e-learning and address its drawbacks, YES4eLearning is focused on developing socio-emotional skills for educators and students to compensate for the absence of physical presence and better prepare them for online learning. Given the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the evolving technological landscape, advancing e-learning is essential, necessitating psychological training for both educators and students in any genuine digital transformation.

YES4eLearning project focuses on:

a) raising the awareness of HEI lecturers and workers on their emotional management during online teaching and on the strategies to use their own and students’ emotions to increase motivation and enjoyment for learning;

b) developing their skills, knowledge and attitudes to increase the quality of online courses;

c) improving the skills and knowledge of students for better integration and adaptation to e-learning.

The main results consist of an online assessment tool that will reveal to HEI academics and workers their emotional state during online teaching and offer them support guidelines on emotional management, a training package for them, that will be piloted internationally and tested in each partner country, and an online course for students confronted with e-learning for a better psychological adaptation, and a creative digital storytelling exhibition.