This interactive session demonstrates how to embed practical, inclusive, research-informed mindfulness practices into both synchronous and asynchrnonus online courses. Participants will explore examples and strategies, draft a mindfulness moment for their course, and leave with tools grounded in trauma-informed, metacognitive, and meditation strategies. 

As online learning continues to expand, student well-being and mental health have become critical concerns. While many educators are aware of mindfulness as a personal practice, fewer know how to integrate it meaningfully into the structure and culture of an online course. Mindfulness, when applied thoughtfully, can improve focus, reduce anxiety, support self-regulation, and foster a more humane and inclusive learning environment.

This session introduces practical, research-informed strategies for embedding short, accessible mindfulness practices into asynchronous and synchronous online courses. Emphasizing trauma-informed and inclusive design principles, the session provides tools for centering care and presence without requiring major curricular overhauls or extensive prior experience with mindfulness.

This topic is highly relevant for those designing learning environments that support the whole student, particularly in contexts where students may feel isolated, overwhelmed, or disengaged. It also aligns with growing institutional priorities around mental health, retention, and inclusive pedagogy.

Structure & Interactivity:

This hands-on session is structured around demonstration, reflection, discussion, and practical planning:

1. Opening Grounding Practice (3 min)
   Participants begin with a short, guided mindfulness activity to experience a simple technique that can be used with students.
    

2. Why Mindfulness in Online Courses? (5 min)
   Brief overview of the research and rationale:
    

   • Benefits of mindfulness for learning and well-being
      

   • The role of mindfulness in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and trauma-informed pedagogy
      

   • Common barriers and misconceptions
      

3. Mindfulness in Action: Examples and Demos (10 min)
   Demonstrations and how-to's of short mindfulness moments in both asynchronous and synchronous formats, including:
   Welcome video with a grounding breath, a reflective pause prompt embedded in an LMS module, a short presence exercise at the start of a live session, start-of-module grounding prompts, reflective discussion boards, mindful pause videos, weekly check-in surveys, mindful module wrap-ups, silent moments during class, ending sessions with a reflection or intention, and mindful transitions between activities. 

   • 
      

4. Design Workshop: Planning for Your Context (15 min)
   Participants are guided through a short design activity to choose one aspect of their course (e.g., weekly announcements, discussion boards, module intros, or live sessions) and brainstorm a simple way to incorporate a mindfulness element. Sample prompts and templates are provided.
    

5. Group Discussion: Opportunities and Challenges (7 min)
   Facilitated discussion about integrating mindfulness in diverse teaching contexts, including:
    

   • How to ensure practices are inclusive, non-coercive, and culturally sensitive
      

   • Student feedback and engagement
      

   • Balancing mindfulness with academic rigor and content coverage
      

6. Closing & Takeaway Resource (5 min)
   Participants are invited to share what they plan to try. A resource handout includes practice scripts, design prompts, trauma-informed guidelines, and links for further learning.

What Attendees Will Learn / Take Away:

• Understand the value of mindfulness as a pedagogical tool, not just a wellness add-on
   

• Experience and evaluate short mindfulness practices suitable for online learning
   

• Learn principles for designing trauma-informed and inclusive mindfulness moments
   

• Leave with at least one draft idea for a mindfulness integration in their own course
   

• Gain access to a resource packet for continued exploration and use

Why This Session Matters:

Higher education often emphasizes cognitive outcomes while overlooking the emotional and mental load students carry, especially in online environments. This session empowers educators to humanize digital learning through small, intentional moments of mindfulness that build presence, resilience, and connection, all while aligning with inclusive and trauma-aware practices.