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Co-facilitate Media Literacy Club for College Students
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Activity/project background
A business college in central Ukraine is one of the leading educational establishments in the country and specializes in training specialists for the modern economy. The college provides bachelor’s and professional junior bachelor’s degrees in several fields of study: economics; management and marketing; computer engineering and information technology; graphic and multimedia design; and accounting and finance. Preparing students for a global economy requires them to develop a strong grasp of English and media literacy.
English language skills and media literacy skills are critical skills for future business leaders. Developing and practicing English language skills allows these burgeoning leaders to participate more fully in different international conferences, programs, and trainings and pursue careers that serve their companies – and their country – on a global stage. In particular, using English in the context of strong media literacy supports these students’ participation in an international economy, both consuming and producing media in a way that is ethical, effective, and informed.
The college is requesting the support of one Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to enhance the English language skills for students in a media literacy club. The VSPP, in partnership with a co-instructor at the college, will be assigned a group of 15–20 motivated college-aged students. Through this club, students will enhance their command of English, increase confidence in their language usage for academic needs in the sphere of media literacy, improve their communication skills, and enhance their intercultural competencies.
The college has previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a Peace Corps Volunteer or Peace Corps Response Volunteer role.
Engagement and tasks
The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with the host country partner:
• Co-design session plans about media literacy for club meetings with clear policies, procedures, resources, and outcomes that encourage language proficiency, confidence, and cultural understanding
• Co-develop learning resources that consider ESL teaching techniques and technologies, U.S. education procedures, and intercultural immersion
• Co-teach 75-minute virtual media literacy club sessions each week for a group of 15–20 students during the fourteen-week engagement
• Co-assess sessions and use the assessment to identify learning objectives and appropriate communicative activities for future sessions
VSPP is expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be 5–6 hours per week.
Online collaboration will generally occur between 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. Ukraine time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.
The host country counterpart will have access to email, WhatsApp, Zoom, and Google Meet for regular communication and collaboration.
Per the Child Protection Code of Conduct, when engaging online with minors (0–18), two adults must be present.
Optional additional activities
The Peace Corps mission is to promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals:
- To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
- To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
- To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
Goal 1 will be achieved through the VSPP's engagement and completion of the above tasks. The counterpart and VSPP may also choose to identify an activity that aligns with Goal 2. Additionally, the VSPP may identify a Goal 3 activity to implement during their engagement. See recommendations and tools for Goal 3 activities.
Essential qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in any field
Experience:
• 1 year teaching college or university students
• Teaching or facilitation sessions, presentations, workshops, or public talks about media literacy, communications, or the media for adult audiences
Intercultural skills and motivation: Flexible, strong cross-cultural agility, high tolerance for ambiguity, able to work independently, resourceful, creative, and genuinely motivated and capable to serve virtually.
Desired qualifications
Education: Master’s degree in any field
Experience:
• Virtual engagement and communication
• 2 years teaching adults or college or university students
• Teaching English to non-native speakers
• Previous VSPP for an education engagement
Terms and conditions of engagement
VSPPs will be engaging with the host country partner, in coordination with Peace Corps post staff, remotely from the US. They should have access to a computer, internet, and telephone in order to enable direct engagement with the Peace Corps overseas office and the Host Country Counterpart assigned by the host country partner.
Orientation with the host country partner will be provided, within the designated virtual service hours, during the first week of virtual service via an online presentation and discussion. The host country partner will provide an overview of its organization, the local context, and how they envision collaborating with the VSPP.
The VSPP will have regular check-ins with their counterpart and bi-weekly check-ins with Peace Corps staff. Spending unstructured time with counterparts can be critical to relationship-building and is encouraged through activities such as coffee chats and informal calls within the weekly 5-15 hours.
Engagement safety and security
The VSPP will receive an orientation on Peace Corps’ Child Protection Policy and how it relates to online engagement along with IT security best practices. The VSPP will be expected to follow safety and security guidelines for online engagement to ensure their safety and that of the Host Country Partner and their counterpart, and any beneficiaries of the engagement.
Supervision requirements
The VSPP will report to a designated Peace Corps staff member. The VSPP will be expected to abide by the Virtual Service Pilot Participant and Donation Agreement and Participant Principles of Engagement. The VSPP will also be expected to check in with the designated host country counterpart as assigned by the host county partner.
