Through the "Corona School e.V." platform, students across Germany support pupils with their schoolwork. An Oldenburg student talks about her experiences.
Anneke Gerken is involved in her new voluntary work twice a week. From home, equipped with a laptop and a handful of creative learning methods. Gerken is part of the "Corona School" - a project developed by students as part of the German government's "WirVsVirus" hackathon. The aim is to bring students together with pupils of all grades, who they then help with their schoolwork.
In doing so, they are also supporting many parents who are under particular pressure due to the coronavirus pandemic and the balancing act between homeschooling and working from home. The platform went online at the end of March and now has over 9,000 students and more than 12,000 pupils. For Gerken, who is studying English and Protestant theology in Oldenburg to become a secondary school teacher, the initiative is a matter close to her heart. "Since the beginning of the pandemic, I've been looking for a way to get involved and contribute my skills at the same time," she says.
Individualised arrangements
It only takes a few steps from registration to the first learning meeting: After registration, a so-called "screening team" checks via video chat whether all of the student's details are correct. Together with one of the 75 or so volunteers at the Corona School, they then decide which class levels are suitable. The platform then brings students and learning partners together. Further coordination takes place individually and independently - for example, when and for how long the "tandem" should meet virtually or what material should be covered. Depending on the age of the child, parents often have a chat with the student first or accompany the first meeting. If conflicts arise in the learning tandem, the Corona School support team intervenes.
The main subjects, languages and natural sciences are particularly popular with students. The selection is huge: "With the exception of sport, all subjects are actually offered via the platform; even Ancient Greek," says Gerken. The students do not have to be studying the subject they are offering, but they do have to feel confident in the subject matter and be enthusiastic about imparting knowledge. Previous teaching experience, for example in the form of tutoring, is helpful, but not absolutely necessary. If there are any questions about teaching methods, students can contact didactics or pedagogy experts via the Corona School.
Age-appropriate mentoring
Gerken's learning partner comes from near Münster and is in sixth grade at a grammar school. Together they do homework, practise vocabulary and work with the literature the class is currently studying. The digital form of the encounter also offers many creative opportunities that inspire Gerken. "My learning partner loves to draw, for example. So we practise irregular verbs by playing Monday painters using the drawing function in BigBlueButton," she explains. But the concept also has its pitfalls: "How well we get on also depends on how powerful the internet is at the time," says the student. But one thing remains the same: "Thanks to the video transmission, I can tell from my learning partner's face whether she has understood my exercise or not, just like 'in real life'. If I'm in doubt, I have to try again."
The Corona School is currently still looking for reinforcements - anyone can join as long as they are enrolled at a university. "The platform is deliberately aimed at students," says Gerken. "Mentoring should be as close in age as possible, as our role often goes beyond simply teaching content. I am also an important and additional dialogue partner for my learning partner during this time," she explains. An additional counselling service offered by the platform operators ties in with this: Anyone who wants to can also ask questions about their studies. Pupils then receive first-hand information. During the major holidays, however, it is also possible for non-students to offer an AG. The age group, duration and content are determined by the volunteers themselves.
Practical teaching experience
For Gerken, the Corona School is good preparation for the general school internship that is coming up soon. "This way, I can gain some practical teaching experience before I go to school," she says. For example, when it comes to revising the subject matter.
She also finds volunteering enriching in other ways. Gerken is convinced: "Even if you only have half an hour once a week, you learn a lot of great things". She was particularly pleased to receive a message from the mother of her learning partner recently: "As she currently has to juggle working from home and childcare, she thanked me very much for my support. That really touched me."
