This article helps you set Skodel up effectively for long term success
To set yourself up for long term success with Skodel, consider the following:
- Identify a Skodel champion (and introduce Skodel effectively)
- Start small and expand
- Run check-ins three times a term
- Have the Skodel champion send/schedule check-ins for the whole school
- Set up groups on Skodel
- Customise check-ins (and name them well)
- Share student feedback and wellbeing insights with the community
- Use Skodel Reactions
- Use Skodel’s Wellbeing Planner
- Run quarterly in depth reports
- Leave technical matters with Skodel and the IT team
- Start with Skodel’s proposed starting check-in schedule
Identify a Skodel champion (and introduce Skodel effectively)
No matter how good software is, it needs a champion to promote it. To begin with, upload students and staff, and introduce Skodel to staff, parents and students. Introducing something new is challenging, but the end goal is that a positive behaviour change will come that validates the initial effort made to implement it. Not everyone will buy in and that’s fine.
Start small and expand
To start with, we recommend trialling Skodel with a year group (Year 7 or Year 6 are interesting groups to start with) and a small group of teachers that are wellbeing advocates (you don't need all teachers on board immediately). This helps you establish systems and processes with a small group. Once you are comfortable, it makes it easier to introduce Skodel to the wider school community.
Run check-ins three times a term (except for your trial)
Daily or weekly check-ins may not be sustainable in the long run. Check-ins three times a term are simple to manage, eliminate fatigue from students and give you an insightful body of longitudinal data. You should customise these check-ins as well, more on that below. During the trial, we recommend a fortnightly check-in, click here for our how to trial Skodel plan.
Have the Skodel champion send/schedule check-ins for the whole school
You can collaborate on check-in schedules but a single point of contact for sending and communicating check-ins across the school creates clarity. If your school has multiple campuses or you are using Skodel across junior and senior school, you might like to have one designated Skodel champion for the different campuses and junior/senior school to manage this.
Set up groups on Skodel
Create groups for homerooms (classrooms for junior school) and year groups. For each of these groups assign relevant ‘wellbeing facilitators’ so they have visibility on their students. This is a simple and proven structure. You could also create groups for house groups if you wish. Other groups can be created at your discretion and you can always retrospectively add groups as well.
Customise check-ins (and name them well)
Ask students different open ended questions for each check-in. Here is a list of questions for you to consider. A changing and interesting set of questions can promote student engagement. To learn how to customise check-ins, click here. Naming the ‘Check-In Style’ appropriately will help you when looking back through data historically. For example, it can help to add a date to the name (Goals Term 1 2021).
Share student feedback and wellbeing insights with the community
If you have e-newsletters, community notice boards or screens around the school, share Skodel’s insights across these platforms. Data such as ‘the main drivers of gratitude last term were…’ and insightful comments made by students to support others can be displayed throughout the community. For example, ask students how they would support others going through a tough time and share the insightful responses. Make a change based on student feedback if you can to let them know their voice matters.
Use Skodel Reactions
Reactions allow staff to react with an emoji or comment on student check-ins. This is a simple act that makes students feel heard and encourages them to express themselves. It improves student engagement and is an easy way to respond to data.
Use Skodel’s Wellbeing Planner
Skodel’s Wellbeing Planner is a powerful way to build student agency. Suggest goals for students based on check-in data, sit with them if you can, and let students take ownership of their wellbeing. This can support you if you are thinking about how you can not only collect wellbeing data but take steps to improve it. Wellbeing plans are also available for staff if your school uses the staff version.
Run half yearly in depth reports
More in depth analysis of check-in and wellbeing plan data can be carried out on a half yearly basis. This will help you review top level policy decisions at the school and guide resource allocation.
Leave technical matters with Skodel and the IT team
If technical matters pop up (errors, SSO, integrations, APIs etc.), please put Skodel in contact with the right IT contact at your school.
Start with Skodel’s proposed starting check-in schedule
Click here to view Skodel’s proposed check-in schedule to get started. This is a reliable way to first trial Skodel for 8 weeks with a group of students.