Wellbeing

Tech’ top tips – #38. Wellbeing, a few pointers for you

Ian Pettit

This tip is provided by the Centre for Enhancing Learning through Technology (CELT). The images in this post will expand when clicked.

While social media is a great way to keep in touch with friends, family and is even used in some contexts for learning; it is important that we are mindful about how we use social media and the potential negative effects on our health.

This article (mindful.org, March 2016) is particularly interesting as it relates our use of online social spaces to our real-life insecurities and how our online behaviour can court these emotions and feelings, thus leading to a negative effect. https://www.mindful.org/before-you-scroll-try-this-social-media-practice/

However it’s not all bad news. There are mindfulness app’s that we can install to help track and limit our use of potentially negative habit-forming platforms. There is also lots of advice about being mindful and healthy when interacting in online social spaces. A quick Google search will return numerous sites and articles – here’s a couple of examples to get you started:

Tech’ top tips – #29. Being mindful of impact – yours and theirs

Tech’ top tips – #29. Being mindful of impact – yours and theirs

Ian Pettit

This tip is provided by the Centre for Enhancing Learning through Technology (CELT).

A cyber bullying survivorA slight departure from the usual tips this week but perhaps one of the most important in the series.

When we use technology, especially in spaces where we can communicate and interact with others, it is important that we think about the impact that our contributions may have on others and how we process content that we see online.

It is all too easy to become embroiled in online arguments, trolling and to become a victim of such online abuse and we must ensure that we at least know where to get help if this happens.

Using technology can make us feel as though we have a shield or some sort of invincibility due to the asynchronous and often anonymous nature of online discussions but technology can be a platform for bullies and their victims.

Often, we can be exposed to content that might affect us by accident. We have no control over what others may post or say and they have no control over our actions in online spaces – this means we can feel the negative effects without being the victim of targeted/malicious posts; and we might negatively affect others if we don’t think about our own actions and posts.

If you feel as though your wellbeing and mental health are affected by your online interactions (either directly or indirectly) please talk to a trusted friend or colleague or book a DMU SPA appointment. It is easy to become affected without realising it and regular breaks from social media along with developing an understanding of how we process and internalise information we see online can help us to equip ourselves with the resilience and courtesy required to cope with 24 hour access to online information and interactions.

Photo credit: HelliTuexenArt CC BY-ND 3.0

Hot Tap Update

Hot Tap Update

Richard Partridge

Hot Tap Update

The Library is committed to providing instant hot (boiling) water to library users. We know how popular this service is, and since introducing this service in September 2016 we’ve spent over £7k in maintenance and physical updates to keep this running 24/7.

Unfortunately, the Zip tap in its original 2016 format created issues  – it wasn’t tall enough for larger cold water containers and the soak away beneath it was not suitable for draining cups. The result of this was a lot of excess water and damage to the counter top from water ingress. We replaced this original installation in November 2017 with a ‘new and improved’ hot tap station that featured better drainage for the Zip tap and a brand new sink and cold water dispenser for bottles.

Sadly the current tap station and cabinet has also succumbed to damage caused by high levels of use and water ingress from frequent spills. Most recently, Zip tap control circuits have been damaged by water.

The Library has gone back to first principles with Estates and a plumbing specialist. We’ll be installing a more robust “Mark 3” sink and wall mounted tap unit and a separate drinking water fountain and bottle filler in the near future, date TBC. In the meantime, Estates are working to seal and make safe the existing unit in the hope that a service can be reinstated. UPDATE 16/4/19: Service with the existing Zip tap has been reinstated

We apologise for the interruption of service, but we are committed to reinstating safe hot water provision in the near future.

First incarnation awaiting update

Current incarnation on launch in December 2017

 

Monday 4/3/19 Leisure reading for all: Gems of the Kimberlin

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As part of the DMU Festival of Teaching events students, staff and members of the public were invited to come and explore the wealth of reading available through Kimberlin Library. Refreshments were offered and the chance to chat about books, share thoughts favourite reads. Kaye Towlson and Carol Keddie staffed the event and Ann Collick created the display with books selected by herself, Carol Keddie, Gareth Glover, Chris Peach, Cress Burston and Dips Patel.

Leisure Reading displays in Kimberlin Library

Students attending commented that they had never thought of the library as a place to borrow books for reading other than for their course and were impressed by the wide range of materials available. They said they used to read for pleasure but now focus on their course reading. Some students expressed an interest in “self-help” books, particularly those advising on career success or financial gain. Reads recommended ranged widely from Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine by Gail Honeyman through to the Darren Shan Cirque du freak series.

The session promoted reading as a core skill enabling social inclusion, social justice and civic participation. Leisure reading has a big contribution to make to the development of this essential life skill and has many benefits: academic, social, health and wellbeing. This spoke to the themes of the DMU Festival of Teaching.

Tech’ top tips – #19. We’re back – and a day late!

Ian Pettit

This tip is provided by the Centre for Enhancing Learning through Technology (CELT).

The UserGuide linkFollowing last week’s digital detox the CELT team thought it would wait a day to publish the next Tech’ Top Tip. It was certainly an interesting time taking a break from social media from the 16th to the 21st and this gave the team plenty of opportunity to engage with the wellbeing sessions that DMU provided during the detox.

To ease us back in to Tech’ Top Tips, today’s tip is just a reminder to colleagues and students that regular breaks from social media can help with our mental health and wellbeing.

Workshops and supportFor more help and advice in this area students can book on to a Digital You workshop by clicking the UserGuide link in Blackboard and then selecting WORKSHOPS AND SUPPORT.

Tech’ top tips – #18. Digital Detox – we’re having a break

Ian Pettit

This tip is provided by the Centre for Enhancing Learning through Technology (CELT).

De Montfort University Leicester is taking the unprecedented step of turning off its social media channels in order to draw attention to the impact of unrestrained social media use on mental health.

The digital detox will run from Wednesday 16th to Monday 21st January inclusive.

To support this initiative, we at CELT will also be taking a break from social media and there will be no Tech’ Top Tip on the 21st.

The digital detox is part of the #HealthyDMU initiative, which brings together everything that the university offers to provide a great healthy experience. Click this link to learn all about #HealthyDMU https://www.dmu.ac.uk/about-dmu/news/2019/january/healthydmu-services.aspx The full schedule of digital detox events that are running during the detox is attached to the bottom of this blog post.

Tech’ Top Tips will be back on Monday the 28th January but in the meantime, why not come to one of CELT’s Digital You workshops that can be booked via the UserGuide tab in Blackboard.

See you on the 28th!

Digital detox schedule