Collaborate with senior leadership: Bring the executive team together and define the purpose, outcomes, actions and key metrics you will look at with Skodel. Get senior leadership to buy into the long term vision of Skodel.
Start small and build: Schools and universities are often big places, start with a one check-in trial with a small group and then build from there.
A good introduction email to staff and students: Communicate the reason behind the check-ins. Focus on the reason why and the value their feedback will provide in making positive changes for all (example here). For example - "In light of the impact COVID has had on wellbeing, we are introducing Skodel."
Send check-ins from the top: We make the case here. Imagine this - amidst a string of school related emails, there is a simple message from the CEO (Principal) to you: "Hi James, just checking in. How are you doing?" That message holds extra significance over other generic internal surveys. It can change a culture.
Post check-in action plan: This can be a simple email to everyone (example here) with three suggested actions based on the data and an opportunity to provide feedback on these suggestions. For example - "We noticed a number of people linking burnout to carrying out mundane tasks. We will introduce a task audit process to ensure no one is working on mundane tasks for prolonged periods."
Tailor intro email messaging appropriately: Consider the age, cultural makeup and current context of staff and students. For example - With growing youth mental health concerns, we are introducing Skodel to focus on and support mental wellbeing.
Interactive notice boards: If possible leverage physical or digital boards around the campus displaying intriguing wellbeing statistics, quotes, or insights gathered from Skodel.
Human language: If appropriate, use human language in the question design for the check-in e.g. instead of asking on a scale of 1-10 how do you feel today... ask How's things? Good, ok, not great.
Scenario based language: "If you could change one thing at school, what would it be?" This can yield interesting visual results when aggregated and presented to the team.
Short check-ins: Ideally no more than 8 questions.
Open-ended questions: Try to include a thought provoking open-ended question e.g. "From your point of view, what's working well and what could be improved at this school?"
Interactive dashboard: Create a dashboard that people can interact with and comment on over time as well as visualise changes in wellbeing and see changes made based on their feedback. Share this through relevant channels such as school noticeboards and newsletters.
Storytelling with data: Rather than just presenting numbers, craft a narrative around the data. For instance, "Last month, 70% of our students felt 'energised,' coinciding with our new wellness initiatives and the biggest factor driving this was exciting school events. Given this, we want to run a poll for what our next school event should be."
Comparative insights: "Did you know students in year 9 feel most refreshed on Wednesdays, while students in year 7 peak on Fridays?" Such insights can foster friendly interactions.
Post check-in roundup suggestions: With the right permissions and done carefully, share feedback in a post check-in roundup via emails, noticeboards, LMS announcements or during assemblies.
Blog articles: Encourage students and staff to write articles or blogs discussing the findings, personal experiences, and school initiatives around wellbeing. Share these on relevant social media channels.
Infographics: Design compelling infographics that showcase interesting insights, which can be shared on school websites, social media, noticeboards or even in press releases.
Interactive web pages: Design a section of the school LMS or other communication channels dedicated to wellbeing insights, allowing students and staff to explore data and changes interactively.
Frequency and purpose: Minimise the frequency and make each check-in purposeful. For example, we will schedule one check-in at the third week of each term to coincide with our in depth wellbeing lesson.
Themed check-ins: Organise days like "Mindful Mondays" or "Wellbeing Wednesdays" where the everyone is sent a check-in to create a communal sense of participation. Again, keep frequency in mind, ideally 1-3 times a term.
Guarantee anonymity for staff: Make Skodel anonymous for staff members and emphasise this in communication to them.
Check in with staff and students: Use Skodel to check in with staff members as well as students so they can advocate for Skodel to their students.
Integrations: Explore integrations with tools like Microsoft Teams. Embed Skodel or reminders into platforms students and staff frequently use, like Learning Management Systems (LMS) or intranet portals (speak to Skodel about possible integrations).
Respond to check-ins: Leave comments on check-ins where genuine feedback is provided.
Provide tailored support: Each check-in should receive personalised support so it is not seen as a passive data collection exercise. Speak to Skodel about options here.
Posters: Use posters around campus to bring awareness to Skodel's check-in tool.
Wellbeing champions: Identify a wellbeing champion both across students and staff to drive the adoption of Skodel.
Rewards for students: "If we get x% of check-ins completed, we will host a wellbeing festival at school with food trucks, a gratitude wall and music."
Actions leaderboard (using Skodel's action plan tool): Leverage the data to look at actions taken among different groups, most commonly tracked actions, suggest team actions/challenges and build healthy collaboration and friendly interactions around wellbeing actions.

Engagement ideas

Engagement ideas