By Emmie Meeks
Earlier this month, we announced that along with continuing our research of in-person author/illustrator visits with Robbi & Matthew, we will also be examining the impact of virtual visits, for the first time. Our plan is to do a comparative study of the impact of visits done virtually versus those done in-person.
During the pandemic, we relied on virtual platforms, like Zoom and Google Meet, to meet the needs of our daily lives and education. But in a post-pandemic world, these platforms may just be the key to reaching communities that otherwise wouldn’t have the means to support an in-person author/illustrator visit. While it’s totally awesome that Robbi & Matthew were able to take a helicopter to visit a school located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, the stark reality is that many rural or underfunded schools do not have the resources to accommodate this kind of experience. Our study will aim to show either that there is a measurable impact for virtual visits, and opportunities can be opened for greater accessibility, or, if we don’t find an impact, we can make an argument for in-person author/illustrator visits.
So, how are Robbi & Matthew going to go about this virtual experience? The virtual visits are going to be in exactly the same format as the in-person visits. Each school will still receive personalized video and resources beforehand, and each student will still be getting a free book.
As of right now, there are five virtual visits with research partnerships. These schools are located in the south, midwest, southwest, and west, and span urban, suburban, and rural areas. Demographically they also range in size from 100 to 500 students, and have student diversity ranging from very diverse to a strong majority in each direction.
We’re super excited to be investigating the impacts of these exiting new opportunities. Be sure to check back in throughout the school year to see what we find!
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