by Kyle Layman, for the Fall 2020 Symposium on Community Engaged Scholarship.
This presentation was selected as a Fall 2020 Nashman Center Exemplar.
This presentation will provide insight into my service learning experience with the Latino Student Fund and show connections between my volunteer work and course topics. Symposium Theme: Building authentic relationships in this unique time.
This project was part of Abbie Weiner’s course, COMM 1041: Interpersonal Communication. Students in this course learn the theories and principles of interpersonal communication while engaging in service-learning with local after-school programs, job training programs, and other service organizations.
Please be sure to cast your vote for the Symposium for Community Engaged Scholarship Audience Choice Award. You are welcome to post comments and questions below.
The emphasis on 1on1 teaching for these students is so important, I can't even imagine how the pandemic and virtual learning has affected these younger kids. This is really impactful work and it's really interesting to see the shifts in focus caused by the pandemic. Also congratulations on your Exemplar Award, really well deserved!
Hey Kyle,
Thank you for your service! The Latino Student Fund is a great organization with a powerful mission. As someone who works in early childhood education, I can attest to the numerous challenges brought about by COVID-19. Many teachers are struggling to shift to virtual learning, and many students - especially black/latinx students - do not have access to a laptop or high-speed internet. When teachers and students are supported and given the resources necessary for meaningful virtual learning, the potential seems limitless. Nevertheless, I have struggled specifically with building authentic relationships during these virtual times and found your experience helpful in further understanding this challenge. Thank you!