Using online environments to build school staff capacity to address student wellbeing

Teachers and school executive teams are often required to address health and wellbeing issues affecting students' learning - issues that may have traditionally been considered the domain of families. Limited time and resources for professional learning may lead teachers to feel they lack sufficient knowledge and skills to adequately address the challenges facing children and young people, and may ultimately lead to a school culture that does not (or students perceive that it does not) adequately care for students. Data from three longitudinal research projects forming part of a program of cyber-safety research suggest that the professional development of school staff can be enhanced with carefully developed and delivered online learning resources, though these have yet to be fully exploited.