The ThinkSelf office located at 2375 University Avenue West in St. Paul closed on March 16, 2020 in accordance with the Governor's Executive Order to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Our teachers have continued to provide instruction using a creative combination of communication platforms including videophone, Zoom, messenger, imo, Marco Polo, and text. They also have occasionally met with participants in the community to provide them with masks, materials, and basic needs.
Some of the biggest barriers our learners and teachers have faced is access to high speed internet and appropriate technology. This has made it difficult to implement and utilize a consistent learning platform. It is unlikely our classroom will reopen in the Fall, since it is nearly impossible for us to comply with State guidelines around the use of masks and social distancing while effectively teaching while using ASL, which relies heavily on facial cues. We also have concerns about our learners being exposed to Covid-19 while using public transportation to reach our classroom.
For the Fall semester, we are tentatively planning to provide distance education, with some opportunities for 1:1 and small group instruction when possible (meeting outdoors, or through glass/pexiglass barriers, for example).
To make distance learning effective, our learners need access to better equipment. Please consider supporting our efforts by donating to the ThinkSelf Technology for Learners fund.
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