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Teachers

Trauma-Informed Education in Open Online Courses During COVID-19

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research conducted by the University of Southern Queensland reveals the feasibility and impact of online courses aimed at enhancing teachers' trauma-informed care practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Educators from two public primary schools in Queensland, Australia, completed the course and shared their experiences, highlighting the importance of navigating digital divides and allocating time for learning. The study concludes that sustaining teacher education on trauma-informed practice requires long-term access, integration of trauma-informed strategies, and ongoing support.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study evaluated the feasibility and impact of the Open Online Course (OOC) on enhancing teachers' trauma-informed care practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Twenty-six educators from two public primary schools in Queensland, Australia, completed the course and were interviewed about their experience.
  • Thematic analysis revealed that the OOC's feasibility was influenced by participants' ability to navigate the digital divide and allocate time for learning.
  • The impact of the OOC was reflected in reports of the adoption of trauma-sensitive classroom management techniques amongst participants.
  • The findings highlight the importance of sustaining OOC-based teacher education on trauma-informed practice, requiring long-term access, integration of trauma-informed strategies, and ongoing support.
  • The research concluded that findings are mapped onto a trauma-informed education framework, informing recommendations for future OOC design and delivery in post-pandemic educational settings.

Statistics:

  • 26 educators completed the Open Online Course (OOC) and were interviewed about their experience.
  • 20 educators reported adopting trauma-sensitive classroom management techniques.
  • The study was conducted in two public primary schools in Queensland, Australia.
  • The OOC was designed to enhance teachers' trauma-informed care practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sources:

  • Trauma-Informed Education in Open Online Courses: Lessons from Teacher Continuous Professional Development During COVID-19. (International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning - http://www.irrodl.org/).
  • University of Southern Queensland. (2025,26(3)). International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning.
  • NewsRx. University of Southern Queensland Researchers Publish Findings in COVID-19 (Trauma-Informed Education in Open Online Courses: Lessons from Teacher Continuous Professional Development During COVID-19). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. September 7, 2025; p 336.

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