Virtual Placement Information
To adjust for no in-person placements, alternative assignments can integrate research around areas of interest to their former internship or professional goals. The following are a few alternatives:
Humboldt in the Time of Covid
- A project to documenting experiences of the local community during COVID19
ConnectEd
- ConnectED is an Humboldt initiative in collaboration with the Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) to support local educators through programming to virtually connect Humboldt and K-12 students. This effort is organized through the Center for Community Based Learning (CCBL), Youth Educational Services (Y.E.S.), Early Outreach Admissions and Humboldt academic departments.
Research, Needs Assessments, Lit Reviews:
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A research project related to issues relevant to the area of service and your previous community partner
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Conduct informational interviews of a small number of professionals in your field of interest and write a summary paper (be mindful about availability in these times)
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General Case Studies and/or Case Studies about the affect of COVID-19 on Community Partner Organizations
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Design a mock-continuity plan for a nonprofit or business of choice
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Conduct a mock needs assessment or SWOT analysis for an nonprofit organzation, goverment office or business
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Simple research paper requiring use of scholarly and public sources and integrating personal reflection (scale to fit the size of original project)
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ideaFest will likely be offering a virtual symposium, consider including it as part of your final project
Deep Reflection Activities:
Video Presentions:
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Have students conduct research on organizations or issues in the community and create a video presentation of their research
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Students can create a video journal of their time during the COVID-19 response and shelter-in-place
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Students can create informative videos about resources for one another and post to a youtube channel
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Reflection videos about the service students completed before the shelter-in-place orders
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Students can create videos giving advice to future interns, majors, or Service Learning students
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The Library offer a number of Online SkillShops related to making videos
Building Training Manuals for Future Students:
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Students can help make orientation materials for future class iterations
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Students can make guides for getting started with their original agency
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Build internship/service manuals for future students
Career Exploration and Professionalization:
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Outline your own plan to work toward landing a job in your field of interest
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Explore your options through virtual career advising provided by ACAC
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Additional Professional/Career Development Activities
Virtual Community Connections and Volunteering (sites may need approval for Humboldt course credit):
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Easy Service Learning ideas in the time of Covid-19 for many subjects
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How to Get Involved with Virtual Volunteering – includes established virtual volunteer programs at organizations like the United Nations and Red Cross, to “Share Your Story” and “Take Online Action.”
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Points of Light Foundation lists virtual opportunities: https://www.pointsoflight.org/virtual-volunteering-opportunities/
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Get connected with remote internships at top startups and companies at covintern.com
Shifting service to an online format with your community partners:
In some cases, some classes have been able to work with their community partners and shift their service projects to an entirely tele-commute, virtual environment. Here are some ideas for those:
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conducting project-based or indirect activities to meet community priorities and course requirements;
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conducting background research or gathering best practices or other information requested the partner(s);
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taping, recording, or streaming performances or workshops to benefit community partner(s);
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creating digital and other social media content, print program materials, or other methods for information-sharing;
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undertaking assessment, evaluation, or feedback via phone or web-based services;
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offering (or compiling, researching, or brainstorming) strategies that provide indirect support from volunteers as a result of coronavirus;
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conducting virtual or phone-based educational supports for youth and adults.
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please check out this list of reflection and assignment ideas generated by Loyola University Chicago’s Center for Experiential Learning about integrating COVID-19 concerns in your service reflections.