Welcome to the Dawn of the Age of Digital Emotional Learning
Imagine this: A student sitting in school in 2025, where they are experiencing the time-honored nerves that come before a middle school math test. But rather than allowing the anxiety to take over, they open a mindfulness app that’s loaded on their phone and do a quick breathing exercise. In a matter of minutes, they feel calm, centered — and ready to tackle even lumpier equations.
This is not a vision of a far-off future, but a tomorrow that is already happening, driven by Social Emotional Learning (SEL) using technology (EdTech). At its essence, SEL is meant to help students develop self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making skills, which are a foundation not only for building successful academic experiences, but also building successful relationships and experiences throughout their lives.
Eighty percent of educators rated social emotional learning one of their top three priorities according to a 2024 McKinsey report, and demonstrates the critical necessity to infuse emotional intelligence into the current education model. EdTech giants such as Nearpod and ClassDojo are spearheading the effort, upending schools and homeschools by integrating technology with emotional learning.
This blog probes into how Edtech supports SEL, frees up educators, and prepares students for a resilient experience in life.
What Social Emotional Learning Looks Like in EdTech
SEL is not just a buzzword in education; it’s a research-based framework focused on five competencies set forth by CASEL (the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning):
Self Conscious (knowing what you’re feeling and why)
Emotion and behavior regulation (self-management)
Not being racist (caring for others who are not like you)
Interpersonal skill (including building and maintaining good relationships)
Responsible decision-making (ethical and productive use of choice)
How EdTech Brings SEL to Life
Interactive Lessons
EdTech companies, are re-invigorating lessons and making them more fun through experience-based lessons in SEL. Platforms like Nearpod rely on digital lesson plans to teach empathy, mindfulness and emotional regulation.
Gamified SEL Tasks
Programs such as Move This World integrate and archive video-based exercises, as well as game dynamics to encourage participation and reinforce social-emotional skills. In one example, students can win badges for doing exercises that build empathy.
Mood Tracking and Analytics
Apps like ClassDojo and Calm Classroom track patterns of mood and then help teachers interpret actionable insights from patterns.
Highlights and Key Notes from the Influencers
Nearly 70% of the schools with SEL-based EdTech tools reported better student behavior by the end of the year (EdSurge, 2025).
According to Dr. Marc Brackett, (uppercase) Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence (lowercase) “Technology helps to scale up SEL so all children can have access to these tools for learning
Importance of SEL EdTech Tools in Providing Students with Resilience
Improved Emotional Well-Being
Students face a diverse range of obstacles such as stress, anxiety, and emotional struggles, yet social and emotional learning tools are in place to bolster their mental health. Calm Classroom (2025) has seen stress reduced in 25% of their users based on their guided breathing exercises and visual meditations.
Research indicates that the average K-12 student can experience a 22% decrease in anxiety due to having access to an SEL program (CASEL, 2024). When students are emotionally healthy, they’re more likely to face challenges with resilience.
Enhanced Academic Performance
And as students acquire greater emotional resilience, their academic focus tends to improve. Research indicates that students who engage in SEL demonstrate 11% better academic achievement than those who do not engage in SEL (EdWeek, 2025).
On average, schools that piloted Nearpod’s SEL programs have seen a 15% lift in math scores within their first year of implementation.
Support for Diverse Learners
SEL EdTech fosters an environment of inclusivity, one so essential for neurodiverse and marginalized students. Approximately 20% of students classified as having EBD have reaped the direct benefit of these SEL tools to facilitate and support their learning (National Center for Learning Disabilities [NCLD], 2025).
According to Dr. Amy McCart of SWIFT Education, “SEL creates climates where students who identify as differently feel valued, belonging, and contributing.
Barriers to Deploying SEL EdTech
Teacher Preparation and Time Considerations
However, for SEL EdTech to work, educators must be trained on how to effectively incorporate the tools within the classroom. Yet, 45% of educators feel not at all prepared to use SEL platforms resulting from insufficient professional development (EdWeek, 2025).
Over-Reliance on Technology
Too much reliance on technology for learning can lead to fatigue and also less “real” emotional connections with peers and instructors. Research demonstrates that 15% of students say they interact less with their peers in tech-intensive SEL programs (MDPI, 2024).
Equity and Access Gaps
Access remains a concern in underserved schools, where 35% of low-income schools do not have the resources to use SEL-focused tools (UNESCO, 2024). Closing this access gap is essential for the scalability and success of SEL EdTech.
Realistic Methods To Incorporate SEL EdTech In The Classroom
SEL in K-12 Classrooms
Begin with free tools like GoNoodle, which has fun SEL activities.
Leverage platforms such as ClassDojo to promote mood tracking and reinforce teacher-student communication.
Teacher Tips: Integrate SEL with core subjects. EG use empathy discussions in English and decision-making exercises in Social.
SEL for Homeschooling
SEL has a place in homeschools, too. Apps like Centervention offer discussion prompts for parents and interactive SEL games. Supplement these digital tools with real-world activities like keeping a diary or sitting down once a week for a personal check-in.
The Future of EdTech and Social Emotional Learning
AI integrated in SEL EdTech is around the corner which means personalized emotional assistance for students. 30% of schools will have AI-boosted SEL platforms by 2028 (EdTech Magazine). Top Image: In addition, VR empathy training tools could change the very nature of learning.
But international standards and scalable solutions are needed if we are to ensure that this advanced technology is applied in a way that is ethical and does not create more inequalities.
Navigating Today’s Complex World on Behalf of Our Students
SEL prepares students to do well in school, yes, but also to do good they become healthier, more successful, happier and more caring people. Educators can harness meaningful resilience in students by combining SEL and EdTech.
If you’re an educator, school leader or home-schooling parent, this is an opportunity to become acquainted with these tools. Thoughtfully designed and integrated SEL EdTech has the power to change classrooms, drive emotional growth, and form students that are strong in both learning and life.