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Michael Hackett Post 1

1 March 2024, 1:12 PM Edited by the author on 6 March 2024, 12:27 PM

Activity 2.2 Compassionate pedagogies in practice

a. What do you as an educator think about the statement:

  • Compassion is only needed when a learner is already anxious or has experienced some kind of trauma?

b. Do compassionate pedagogies have a place in increasing wellbeing and realising your vision of contributing to a kinder and more caring world?

Write a post of around 100 words explaining your response to these questions. 


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Sarah Prophet Post 2 in reply to 1

9 August 2024, 5:52 PM

This is absolutely not the case and from a great deal of personal experience I can say that compassion is needed always, regardless of known trauma or not. We cannot know what people are going through in their lives, in terms of experience, mental health, family circumstances etc. Therefore I would say that everyone should be treated with equal compassion and respect to ensure that all learners feel valued and that they matter.

I have witnessed first hand the positive impact of compassionate pedagogies on learners and it is quite incredible. It can make such a difference to the learning environment and even the learning progress of a group in general. It is often underestimated but kindness can go a long way and It seems simple and yet so effective. 

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Muhammad Ghilman Firdaus Post 3 in reply to 1

2 March 2025, 7:44 AM

No. People can be fostered to be kindness using repetition in learning process. If there is trauma, it can be a treatment to recovery their conditions. 

This learning design hopefully can give positive impacts to the students to be more careful, responsible, professional and mindful towards the condition around them. 

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Youssef Bilani Post 4 in reply to 1

5 October 2025, 1:43 PM

The Architect of Empathic Learning

I strongly disagree with the statement that compassion is only needed when a learner is already anxious or has experienced some kind of trauma. This perspective is fundamentally flawed and limits the transformative potential of compassionate pedagogy. While compassion is undoubtedly crucial in supporting learners facing anxiety or trauma, its application should not be restricted to reactive interventions. Proactive compassion creates a learning environment that can prevent or mitigate such issues in the first place.

Compassion, in an educational context, is about recognizing the inherent humanity of each learner, understanding their diverse needs, and fostering an environment where they feel safe, valued, and supported to thrive academically and personally. It's about creating a culture of care, not just a crisis response mechanism.

 

Yes, compassionate pedagogies absolutely have a profound place in increasing well-being and realizing a vision of contributing to a kinder and more caring world. By integrating compassion into every aspect of teaching and learning, we move beyond simply imparting knowledge to nurturing holistic development. When educators model empathy, flexibility, and understanding, students learn these values not just as abstract concepts but as lived experiences. This approach fosters psychological safety, reduces stress, and builds resilience, allowing learners to engage more deeply and authentically with their education. Ultimately, a compassionate classroom cultivates individuals who are not only academically proficient but also socially conscious, empathetic, and equipped to contribute positively to their communities and the wider world. This proactive approach to well-being is essential for creating a more humane and supportive society.

The notion that compassion is only necessary for anxious or traumatized learners is a significant misconception. Compassion is not merely a remedial tool; it's a foundational element for all effective learning environments. Proactive compassion cultivates psychological safety, fosters belonging, and builds resilience, which can prevent anxiety and trauma from escalating or even occurring. When educators consistently demonstrate empathy, flexibility, and understanding, they create a culture where every student feels valued and supported . This approach directly contributes to increased well-being by reducing stress and enhancing engagement. By modeling compassion, we empower learners to develop these qualities themselves, thereby contributing to a kinder, more caring world, one classroom at a time.