Using Technology to Facilitate Service Learning During a Pandemic

Elizabeth Holtel, School of Nursing

Tanya Coltrain, School of Nursing

Service learning is an integral component of the sophomore nursing curriculum at IUPUI. The COVID-19 pandemic gave faculty teaching NURS-B 235:Healthy Populations Practicum an opportunity to collaborate creatively with our community partners to provide a service-learning experience in a virtual format. This new virtual partnership allowed students the opportunity to meet the course objectives while still providing a needed service for our community partners. Prior to the pandemic, sophomore nursing students would be paired with an elementary school to teach in-person lessons about nutrition and exercise. Visitor restrictions at elementary schools led to developing a different opportunity for these students. Instead of teaching in person this year, our students recorded themselves teaching the lessons. The nutrition and physical activity lessons were then distributed to local teachers and after-school programs. Students not only strengthened their skills of teamwork and collaboration while creating these videos, but they also gained knowledge in the use of technology to educate children of different ages. All while providing needed education on nutrition and fitness to area elementary school children. Two different partnerships will be highlighted, including the successes and challenges encountered, demonstrating how faculty shifted in-person service-learning opportunities to adapt to the restrictions in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.


Holtel & Coltrain Poster for Bringle and Hatcher Civic Engagement.pdf