With more students and instructors interested in remote and hybrid courses, remember that the high impact practice of community-engaged service-learning can continue in a virtual teaching and learning environment. Below is a collection of resources to help instructors find new ways to engage.
If you are already working with a partner, start by engaging them in a conversation around useful projects that can be completed remotely. We recommend you contact your service site leaders to discuss if there is potential for students to be able to support their team remotely or if your existing projects can be transitioned to a remote format. Some possible remote activities to discuss with your partner organization(s) include:
- data entry
- conducting background research or gathering best practices or other information requested by partners or clientele
- setting up, recording, or streaming online performances, workshops, or other resources to benefit community partner
- creating digital or social media content, program materials, or other methods for information-sharing
- communicating with clients/patients to mitigate feelings of isolation
- mentoring or tutoring
- undertaking assessment, evaluation, or feedback via phone or web-based services
As always, we want our partnerships to be mutually beneficial and provide appropriate training, context, and reflection opportunities for students, regardless of mode of delivery.
Suggestions for Remote Service Activities
If you are designing a new course or looking for a new partner, there are more virtual and remote service opportunities than ever before. Below are a few suggestions to start exploring:
- Transcribe handwritten historical materials like letters and diaries for the Ohio History Connection.
- Help map the most vulnerable places in the developing world with Missing Maps to help organizations better respond to crises affecting the areas.
- Leave poetry feedback on the Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youths and adults.
- Watch these videos to learn more about how to comment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdWV9sHGw7U&t=17s and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw_-DpcX8Y0
- Apply to help translate documents with Translators Without Borders.
- Volunteer to help people who are blind or visually impaired.
- Help record audio books for books and materials created prior to 1923.
- Become a volunteer listener.
- Volunteer with the Zooniverse doing scientific research online.
- Help proofread online books with Project Gutenberg.
- Transcribe documents for the Smithsonian.
- Help the National Park Service test web applications.
- Participate in the Last Seen: Finding Families After Slavery project by transcribing ads placed by formerly enslaved people to find lost relatives
- Contribute to citizen science projects such as Local Environmental Observer Network or iNaturalist, or find others on SciStarter.org or CitizenScience.gov
- Engage with OSU Votes to promote voting and civic engagement.
There are many other online project listings to browse to find the right project for your course:
- https://medium.com/the-faculty/service-learning-during-coronavirus-easy-ideas-for-every-subject-59f8bb041f39
- https://www.catchafire.org/
- https://www.omprakash.org/search
Remember that the fundamentals of preparation for engagement and reflection on the experience apply to all community-engaged/service-learning courses, regardless of the mode of engagement or teaching.
The Office of Service-Learning is here to support you. Please feel free to email slearning@osu.edu with specific questions or concerns.