BLUFFTON, Ohio — Thanks to a new educational program and social media, student teachers at Bluffton University in northwest Ohio are finishing out their semester through a study buddy program. The program, which is set to help kids with schoolwork during the stay-at-home order, has blossomed into something much bigger than anticipated.
- Program not only helps college students, but kids across the country
- Individual and group help offered for kids in grades K-12
- Sessions currently run through May 1 and are monitored by university faculty
Just a couple of weeks in and the handful of student teachers from Bluffton University are maximizing their final semester before heading out into the real world to teach. So far, the experience has stretched their creativity and kept them on their toes.
During the week, five-year-old Franklin reads to his new study buddies, who are looking to become teachers soon. His dad, Jack Hutchins said he's grateful for the opportunity. "Yeah he's not been out very much the past couple of weeks. He's just kind of been hanging around the house because of the Coronavirus."
He's one of about 15 to 20 kids that log into the Bluffton University Study Buddies site each day from across the country. All of them are getting help with schoolwork and other skills.
Ready to assist, the program not only aids kids but student teachers completing their required hours in the classroom virtually.
So far, it's kept Bluffton Early Childhood Education major and student teacher Danielle Ray and even some alumni on their toes, as sometimes they've had to come up with lesson plans on the fly.
"For me, I use a lot of Pinterest cause they have amazing ideas so...we've done writing. So I just go on there and find writing prompts. Umm, we've done spelling," said Ray.
8-year-old Lauren Moeller is working on multiplication. Her mom sees the program as a blessing.
"For her it's been amazing because we can sit her in front of the camera, tell them what she's working on and then they help her one on one. And it's just been invaluable because we just don't have this time to sit down with them one on one for hours,” she said.
School officials say on occasion, a high school student may drop in for a 45-minute session to get help, but it's mostly preschool age to fourth grade kids joining in.
While the program offers structure, socialization and academics, student teachers say it's challenging.
"Each teacher's using like different websites and stuff, so trying to figure out each of those or if a kid comes in without work...trying to find something to have them do," said Ray. She adds, not being familiar with kids and figuring out what they already know, and then going from there can be challenging too.
But no matter the age, these study buddies are making the most of their time, as many will be graduating soon.
School officials say using technology with the study buddy program has been a great opportunity to enhance student learning in a different way, while creating meaningful experiences.
For student teachers, school officials see it as a great resume builder that could help them land their first teaching job.
To learn more about the Bluffton Study Buddies program, visit their website.