EL at a Distance
Resources for Faculty and Activity Directors
The Office of University Experiential Learning has created a webpage with several resources at https://el.uga.edu/policies/covid/, which will hopefully alleviate some of the stress you and your students may be feelingas a result of the impact of COVID-19 on approved experiential learning activities. As the guidance in the link above indicates, if the course or non-credit activity is going to “successfully complete”, then that student has met the EL Requirement.
We understand that some students may be unable to complete all the experiential elements of their course, or were not able to complete them in the expected way. For some faculty mentors, activity directors, and their students, there simply may be no way to complete the experiential learning activity. In these cases, mentors may consider assigning a grade of Incomplete (or In Progress for non-courses) if the student and mentor plan to complete the course or activity later. A student may choose to Withdraw from courses as well, but be aware that in addition to possibly not fulfilling the experiential learning requirement, this could impact a student’s financial aid calculation and might have an adverse impact on their aid. A decision to Withdraw should be done in consultation with Academic Advisors and Financial Aid Advisors. In our opinion, a withdrawal should be a last resort option.
Below are recommendations from the Office of University Experiential Learning on select best practices to manage your courses and non-credit activities that may not be completed as planned.
Recommendations by Experiential Learning Category (Applies to both Courses and Non-Credit Activities)
- Creative: In any of the following scenarios, the course or activity could be considered completed.
Activity directors, faculty and their departments have significant discretion on how
they can help a student complete their activities and we encourage faculty members
and activity directors to seek such solutions as these will create the least disruption
for students.
- If a student has completed or can complete sufficient work to meet the learning objectives for the experiential learning course or activity, then the faculty mentor or activity director may consider the experience completed and assign a grade/pass the student for the course/activity.
- If the mentor is able to find a way to let a student work remotely.
- If the mentor wishes to substitute the planned work for something else that still addresses the original learning objectives and fulfills the requirements set forth by their departments
- Global: In any of the following scenarios, the course or activity could be considered completed.
Activity directors, faculty and their departments have significant discretion on how
they can help a student complete their activities and we encourage faculty members
and activity directors to seek such solutions as these will create the least disruption
for students.
- If a student came home early from an approved study away program that was cancelled and the student has completed or can complete sufficient work to meet the learning objectives for the experiential learning course or activity, then the faculty mentor or activity director may consider the experience completed and assign a grade/pass the student for the course/activity.
- If the student has already finished a sufficient amount of work and engagement.
- If the mentor is able to find a way to let a student work remotely.
- If the mentor wishes to substitute the planned work for something else that still addresses the original learning objectives and fulfills the requirements set forth by their departments.
- Internship
- Updated guidance pertaining to Fall 2020 internships is now available at https://el.uga.edu/policies/covid-internships/.
- Leadership:
- Have the students visit the link below and read Important Leadership Skills for Workplace Success. They can then create a up to date resume and/or LinkedIn profile highlighting the skills they have developed. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/top-leadership-skills-2063782.
- Service-Learning
- Access the excellent “Recommendations” and “Resources” provided by UGA’s Office of Service-Learning at https://servicelearning.uga.edu/faculty-resources/covid-19-faculty-resources.
- Undergraduate Research
- Review updates from UGA’s Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities via their “CURO Update Document” at https://curo.uga.edu/.
Additional Resources:
- So Your Study Abroad Was Canceled… Includes tips to help students find approved activities that will fulfill their Experiential Learning Requirement in place of their canceled Study Abroad program. Learn more at https://el.uga.edu/policies/covid-canceled-progs/
- Potential Impacts to Your Experiential Learning Requirement Identifies four possible scenarios to help students and advisors determine impact of COVID-19 on the fulfilling of the EL Graduation Requirement and relevant course(s) of action. Learn more at https://el.uga.edu/policies/covid-elr-impacts/
- “Online Experiential Learning: Engaging Students Through Real and Virtual Activities”
- “4 Tips for Adapting an Experiential Learning Course from Real World to Online—during (and after) the Coronavirus”
Still Have Questions:
Please contact the Office of University Experiential Learning:
Email: ugael@uga.edu
Web: el.uga.eduas a result of the impact of COVID-19 on approved experiential learning activities