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Online social hub for students cooks up a virtual community

17/04/2020

The University of Wolverhampton’s Academic Coaches and Graduate Teaching Assistants have created a virtual social hub for students who are experiencing lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new online facility has been created as a new topic on the student learning portal, Canvas, where a range of regular activities are being hosted.  The idea is based around an initiative called Coaches Kitchen which was held in the University’s Chaplaincy which encouraged students to cook and eat together, creating a safe space with community focus.

The activities on offer include weekly ‘cookalongs’ where students can log on and watch Academic Coaches cook their lunch or follow recipes.  A list of ingredients is provided and students can add recipes, tips and pictures of their food.  Everyone then eats lunch together virtually.

The team is also hosting Netflix watch parties where students can gather virtually to watch the latest films or series.

Sarah Byrne, Academic Coach in the University’s Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences, said: “These are very strange times and our aim is to ensure that students stay healthy, safe and physical and mentally active during lockdown. 

“Social distancing is new to everyone so we thought we would set up a community space on the students’ learning portal where they could get involved in virtual communal activities, where they could ask questions or create discussions and where they can find links to University information or get help with any queries they may have.

“We are also asking students for ideas on how to keep themselves and their families engaged during isolation - especially those who are magically juggling childcare, work and study.”

ENDS

 

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