Check-in activities serve as a bridge between social interactions, discussions, and shared experiences, playing a crucial role in shaping students' perspectives, beliefs, and understanding of contexts around them.

Check-ins are more than just icebreakers; they serve as an opportunity for genuine connection and understanding among students. They help to foster a sense of community, trust, and openness among students and help to create a more inclusive and supportive classroom environment.

Check-ins can be categorised into different types based on their purpose, format, and the information they aim to gather e.g., Emotional Check-Ins, Rapport building Check-ins, Reflection Check-Ins, Goal-Setting Check-Ins, Check-Ins for Feedback etc.

This two-hour interactive workshop will equip FET staff with practical strategies to foster emotional well-being, boost student engagement, and build a strong sense of community within the classroom.

In this session, you will:
· Understand the theoretical foundations of check-in activities, including psychological safety, social-emotional learning (SEL), and emotional intelligence
· Explore a variety of check-in types and techniques that cover verbal, visual and physical activities
· Participate in a range of sample check-in activities and experience firsthand how these exercises can positively impact classroom dynamics
· Gain insights into managing check-ins
· Leave with a toolkit of ready-to-use enjoyable check-in activities and ideas to implement immediately in your teaching practice.

This session is ideal for FET teachers who are eager to create a more connected and supportive learning environment.

The target audience for this session is: FET staff including management, teachers, tutors, trainers, programme coordinators, guidance counsellors, learning support staff and wellbeing officers.

Facilitation: This event will be facilitated by Miriam O’Donoghue. Miriam is an independent facilitator, trainer and consultant with a strong background and experience of working in Education both nationally and internationally that includes teaching, lecturing and training roles at Primary, Post-primary, Further Education and Training, and Higher Education (Teacher Education) levels. Miriam has also held senior management roles in Curriculum Development, Professional Development and Education Support Services.

Please note: Pre-booking is essential. Please do not book onto this session unless you are sure that you will attend / have approval to attend (if required). If an emergency arises, please inform us ASAP (cpdcancellations@fess.ie) as we operate a waiting list system and if time allows, we can offer your booked place to another person.