Holyoke Community College

Social emotional learning (SEL) comprises life skills that are foundational to motivation in the classroom and classroom management. Students who have strong social and emotional skill sets will be more successful in the classroom and in life. In this course, students will first examine what SEL is, including the research foundational to SEL. Then students will examine the five SEL competencies—self awareness, self management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making—and how each of these can be developed first in the classrooms and then in the schools to optimize learning environments. While examining the five SEL competencies, students will also investigate how these skill sets can affect families and communities.