Pandemic Learning: A Video Series
Educational systems are at the heart of our communities, and their instability during the COVID-19 pandemic has had ripple effects felt near and far. We’ve all experienced the immediate consequences of the pandemic, as safety regulations transform our daily lives and the stress of a rising death toll leaves its mark. It can be much harder to remain aware of the experiences others are having, and how the adaptation of our systems to the pandemic has opened paths to new futures we couldn’t have imagined before. The education sector has undergone a particularly public and difficult transition, likely catalyzing a long-term process of permanent transformation.
This is a vital moment to ask questions and re-evaluate our traditional assumptions of how schools are supposed to work. What are the goals of education in the midst of a pandemic? What can we expect out of our students and teachers in such times of stress? How can we rebuild our systems to better support those who depend on them? As we search for answers, it’s important that we take the time to listen to those most affected.
Our group produced a series of videos sharing stories of the COVID frontlines from teachers, administrators, and education experts. Working through COVID-19 restrictions, we filmed interviews and collected information on how to effectively incorporate technology into schools and whether it has been successful this past school year. Topics discussed include the role and goals of education, the future of online learning, and challenges and successes with distributing technology, among others. This project is a way to document and share these experiences with a wide audience and start conversations about the current state of education and technology.
Group members: Sarah Atkinson, Aileen Dwyer, Andrew Evren, and Joe Ramlet
Community partners: University of Minnesota Learning Technologies Media Lab, Saint Paul Neighborhood Network
Each year our 35 CTEP AmeriCorps members choose community action projects that make a contribution to bridging the digital divide. The CTEP civic engagement projects are often cited by CTEP AmeriCorps members, staff, supervisors, and community supporters as one of the most unique and energizing parts of the program. This is one of the 2021 civic engagement projects.