Re: [Wikimedia Education] Responding to school closures related to Covid-19

Thanks, Nichole, for reaching out about how Wikimedia might engage our community and support learners, educators, and movement volunteers

by school closures because of COVID19. Replying on-list with my responses to your questions, so that there's an on-wiki record at Wikimedia Space. I also submitted my answers via the Google Form. Where are you located? Sonoma, California, USA Are you a member of a Wikimedia affiliate? Please list them below. Former Staff, Wikimedia Foundation, Wikipedia Education Program Manager How are your community's education activities impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic? Schools are closed county-wide from preschool through university. What ideas do you have for how our Wikimedia community can support those impacted by school closures? Sharing best practices and how-to tutorials for hosting web-based video instruction, live streaming like Google Hangouts, chat platforms like

collaboration platforms like Wikimedia Space, threaded mailing lists, newsletters, blogs, and virtual office hours. Providing a repository of

links to resources, case studies, and online training. Explaining the

dashboard and its value in demonstrating the impact of distance learning. Being a welcoming and inclusive and positive source of ideas and inspiration during dark and uncertain times. Basically, just continue

what the Wikimedia Education Program has always done. Thanks, Nichole. Are you already doing something to support those impacted by school closures? Tell us about it! Share links if possible! I expect to be furloughed because of the recent school closures and the likely indefinite suspension of site-based instruction in California. I want to be of service and I’m ready to wash my hands and get right to

Please tell me how I may volunteer. My best to you and your team and to our entire community worldwide. Take care and be well. Sincerely, Anna Koval User:Msannakoval On Tue, Mar 17, 2020 at 7:53 AM Nichole Saad <nsaad(a)wikimedia.org>

> Dear Wikimedia & Education community, > > First I want to say that I hope you all are doing ok in this time of > crisis. We all have been affected in many different ways, and you all

> in our thoughts. If you haven't heard, the Wikimedia Foundation is > operating at a reduced capacity > < >

> > > to allow staff to take care of themselves and their loved ones. In

> this, the Education Team has shifted our focus to supporting those

> by school closures to make use of the Wikimedia projects to continue

> learning. I'm writing to ask if any of you have the time and energy to > work alongside us in this effort. > > According to UNESCO, as of 16 March, 73 countries have announced or > implemented school and university closures. 56 countries have shut

> nationwide, impacting almost 516.6 million children and youth. A

> countries have implemented localized school closures to prevent or

> the spread of COVID-19. The Education Team is working to produce

> and resources that can help people make use of the Wikimedia projects

> supplement learning for out of school children. > > *You can help by * > > > - *Telling us how the pandemic has impacted your Wikimedia &

> activities* > - *Providing your ideas of how our community can be helpful in this > time* > - *Letting us know anything you are already doing. * > > *I've created a google form where you can share this information. > <https://forms.gle/D6EYziPLsCVT2tTu9>* > > > In the following day or two, we'll synthesize the ideas and share them

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