The BEwell course, guided by our AI companion WellBot, offers a fundamentally new approach to education—one that is maximally tailored to the needs of each student. Thanks to artificial intelligence, we are able to track students’ real-time reactions, feedback, and engagement throughout the course. As a result, learning is no longer an averaged experience but a personal journey—like not serving everyone seven dumplings, but exactly the number each person actually needs.

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This course is custom-made, efficient, and deeply rooted in student motivation. Each lesson begins with a clear preview of what students can expect and is enriched with real-life stories. Jana Kočí draws upon more than 20 years of experience in education and 15 years of working directly with students and schoolchildren. The course is also firmly grounded in evidence—every step and every idea is supported by research.

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Evidence-Informed Learning and Multisensory Engagement As an evidence-informed program, BEwell is built on scientific findings, not myths. Contemporary research shows that the idea of fixed learning styles is outdated—the most effective learning occurs when we engage all sensory channels and work in an integrated, holistic way.

Therefore, our course purposefully combines visual, auditory, and kinesthetic stimuli. We use illustrative materials, audio recordings, and practical exercises designed to quite literally get students out of their chairs. This multisensory approach significantly increases both the effectiveness of learning and long-term retention.

Dual Coding and Visible Learning We employ the principle of dual coding—a proven technique for efficient learning. Key information is delivered through multiple channels at once—for example, when explaining the definition of well-being, we reinforce it visually with a graphic diagram. This combination of verbal and visual representation helps students better understand and retain the material.

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We also build on the principle of visible learning—learning should be observable. In our course, the learning process is tangible and understandable not only for the instructor but, more importantly, for the student. Every step a student takes is clearly structured, reflected upon, and linked to a specific goal.

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Developing Key Competencies and Metacognition 

The course intentionally develops key competencies, especially self-reflection, which forms the foundation of sustainable well-being. The more students strengthen their skills in the area of mental wellness, the more naturally they develop metacognition—the ability to think about their own thinking, decision-making, and behavior.

Paraphrasing for Clarity In the course, we deliberately work with the technique of paraphrasing—important ideas are conveyed repeatedly in different ways. Key messages are not stated just once; they are gradually developed through definitions, examples, and personal stories. This increases clarity and comprehension.

 

Action-Oriented and Personalized Learning 
Our approach is action-oriented—we emphasize activity and interaction. We do not rely solely on knowledge transmission, though it has its place and is used in the course. We go further: we support students in discovering key insights and skills on their own, at their own pace, and through their own path.

We assign concrete tasks and set clear objectives, while still allowing space for individual approaches. In this way, we help students develop the competence to actively shape their well-being—not as abstract knowledge, but as a personal skill they can apply in their everyday lives.

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Community Support and Human Interaction 

BEwell combines personalized instruction with community support. Thanks to the AI guide—WellBot—students experience the course as a form of one-on-one coaching, tailored in time and pace to their needs. As the avatar of a real university educator, WellBot delivers content authentically and clearly.

However, once a month, we also meet in live sessions—with a human facilitator and a group of students. These sessions provide space for reflection, sharing experiences, and collaborative problem-solving based on course assignments. They remind us that while WellBot is a powerful tool, true understanding and growth are rooted in real human connection.

 

Positive and Authentic Teaching 

In designing BEwell, we placed strong emphasis on the instructor’s positive and authentic approach, which directly influences students’ mood and motivation. Mirror neurons, which play a crucial role in empathy and social learning, allow positive emotions from the teacher to be transferred to the student. Studies show that a teacher’s positive attitude can significantly affect students’ emotional state, thereby enhancing their engagement and learning effectiveness.

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Empathy and Respect for Individual Experience 

We also place great emphasis on empathy and respect for each student’s individual experience. When a student shares uncertainty or difficulty, we never downplay their feelings. Instead, we respond with the question, “How can I help you?”—a clear signal that we take their experience seriously and are ready to support them.

 

Supporting Autonomy and Choice We also focus strongly on fostering student autonomy, a key factor in developing intrinsic motivation and overall well-being. According to Self-Determination Theory, autonomy is one of three essential psychological needs; when fulfilled, it leads to higher intrinsic motivation and more effective learning.

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Enhancing Self-Efficacy and Managing Cognitive Load We also systematically build students’ self-efficacy while effectively managing cognitive load. Self-efficacy—the belief in one's ability to succeed—is a crucial determinant of learning success and sustainable well-being.

Evidence-Based Feedback and Dialogic Teaching In BEwell, feedback is not limited to end-of-course evaluation; it is a continuous, integral part of the learning process. On the Uniwellsity platform, students can submit ongoing assignments, comment on peer contributions, and receive individual feedback from instructors.

 

We also apply the principles of dialogic teaching, which research shows to be more effective than the traditional IRF model (Initiation–Response–Feedback). We ask open-ended questions, encourage multiple viewpoints, teach conversation techniques, and promote a culture of respectful discussion.

Practical Techniques for Dialogic Learning Specific techniques we use to support dialogic learning include:

• Think–Pair–Share

• Reflective Circles

• Higher-order questioning based on Bloom’s Taxonomy

• Socratic dialogue

• Argument mapping

• Role-play and perspective-taking

• Creative text interpretation

• Reaction journaling

• Discussion protocols

• Peer feedback using assessment criteria

• Silent conversation (written dialogue)

• Rotating discussions

• Structured small group interviews

• “Four Corners” technique—choosing and defending a viewpoint

• Dialogic summary instead of testing

Positive Expectations and the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy 

BEwell also intentionally applies the principle of the self-fulfilling prophecy—in its positive form. We recognize that teacher expectations significantly influence student performance and self-perception.

 

Differentiated Instruction 

We also actively implement differentiated instruction by adapting the difficulty, format, and content of activities to accommodate diverse learners. Each student enters with different backgrounds, levels of preparedness, and preferred learning styles—and we view this diversity not as a challenge but as a natural part of the learning process.

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Scaffolding Toward Independence 

Another essential didactic principle consciously applied in BEwell is scaffolding—the gradual removal of support that allows students to transition from guided learning to full autonomy. This process significantly strengthens their ability to self-direct both their learning and well-being.

 

Think–Pair–Share for Social Learning 

We also implement the Think–Pair–Share strategy, which effectively enhances both understanding and student engagement. This makes the learning experience more socially grounded and personally relevant.

 

Reducing Cognitive Load and Activating Prior Knowledge 

We also intentionally reduce cognitive load. Drawing from cognitive load theory, we structure the content and flow of lessons to ensure that information is digestible and sustainable.

Each learning block begins with a conscious activation of prior knowledge. This strategy connects new information to what the student already knows, deepens understanding, and aids in long-term memory retention.

 

Cultivating a Growth Mindset and Embracing Mistakes 

A core component of our approach is also the creation of a safe and supportive environment in which students are not afraid to make mistakes. The course actively fosters a growth mindset, based on the work of Carol Dweck.

 

Fostering Social Support and Community 

A powerful element of BEwell is the intentional cultivation of social support, which is among the strongest predictors of well-being. Students can interact on the Uniwellsity platform between sessions—offering mutual support, sharing experiences, or arranging joint study sessions, Zoom calls, or leisure activities.

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Read the full Didactic Principles of the BEwell digital course — available here in Czech and here in English.