Our P-12 partners are also experiencing the unanticipated migration of teaching into online formats. We know access to students can be difficult and may limit potential collaborations. Together we are learning how to use our creativity to identify solutions and share with others in similar situations.
Example of successful P-16 service learning collaborations in online environments:
Lynn Holley, GERO 2000: Intro to Gerontology
UNO students planned to work with Lewis and Clark students to plan a Senior Prom for seniors from AARP and other seniors from the community. In lieu of hosting the Senior Prom and to continue the service learning project, students will write two poems (or essays), one about the experience of being a teenager in today’s world during the COVID 19 virus pandemic, and the other about the experience of being an older person in today’s world. UNO students will write poems/essays just as the P-12 students; however, UNO students will also write reflections about that assignment, and an essay that identifies generational differences and similarities, and how those differences and similarities are likely to shape relationships between the UNO student generation and the youth.
Gerry Huber, TED 2200: Human Relations (Teacher Scholars Academy)
UNO Students from Gerry Huber's TSA Human Relations Class, Crestridge Elementary from Craig Wiles 5th grade class and Inclusive Communities will be transitioning their P16 service learning project into the online platform of Zoom to discuss redlining in Omaha. Inclusive Communities will invite a guest speaker to share about the impact of Redlining in Omaha through Zoom. UNO students will prepare questions related to redlining’s continued impact on economics, education, housing/residential, health, segregation, transportation, current practices, and employment for future "Table Talks". UNO students will lead group discussions via Zoom breakout rooms with the 5th-grade students. The 5th-grade students will also come prepared to discuss and ask questions based on the information they have learned in their class. This will take place over 4 sessions starting with an icebreaker and leading into further group discussions.
If you are a P-12 partner, please contact the UNO Service Learning Academy at unosla@unomaha.edu.
Here are some learning links to share with P12 students, parents, and teachers:
- Best Practices for Delivering Virtual Classroom Training
- Free resources for teachers, educational ideas and tips, educational topics, Personal Learning Networks, Project Based Learning, Google, Evernote, Discovery Education and more.
- Learn at Home
- Noise Omaha
- Supporting students with food insecurities?
- UNO iSTEM Virtual Toolbox
- Virtual Field Trips
- Virtual Museum Galleries