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Cyber Service:
Real Time Rewards
by Tamara Haspels
As
organizations and individuals are inundated with modern technology, there
is apprehension and hesitation about how it will affect our lives and
the lives of generations to come. The implications of advances in
technology and science will be determined by the people who
create it and use it. It is to this end that we must consider using technology
to serve our world and our highest ideals.
Traditional methods of service and volunteerism will never be replaced by technology. The tools can be used, however, to augment these activities and to provide new ways of performing service. Virtual volunteering is one means of effecting change for individuals and organizations through technology. Virtual volunteers make themselves available to contribute time and expertise online. These volunteer projects often involve mentoring and the development of websites. Additionaly, online writing and editing contributions provide many resources for community based organizations, such as press releases and grant applications. Through virtual volunteering, professional individuals and stay-at-home parents who may not otherwise have the time and flexibility to volunteer are able to make contributions within and outside their communities. Senior citizens and some individuals with disabilities have found virtual volunteering to be a means of volunteering with greater ease.
Virtual volunteering has the potential of making great strides for teachers and students to address academic standards. The curriculum can be augmented through a project that involves a 'virtual' expert. Students may also apply their own time, skills and expertise as volunteers from the classroom. Whether students consider volunteering themselves or are seeking contributions from an outside volunteer for help with class work or a service-learning project, it is advised that they have a well-defined issue to be addressed before an online volunteer opportunity is sought or posted. A virtual volunteer exchange also necessitates that both sides can be prompt and responsive to email correspondence.
A notable advantage of involving online volunteers and providing volunteer services online is that groups and individuals are able to collaborate with and reach targeted groups. A connection can be established with people who may otherwise be difficult to reach because of circumstances such as distance, disability or age. Once the need for a volunteer or an opportunity to volunteer has been established, classrooms can announce or seek volunteer opportunities through appropriate newsgroups and listserves.
The following are some of the many examples of such online services:
Traditional methods of service and volunteerism will never be replaced by technology. The tools can be used, however, to augment these activities and to provide new ways of performing service. Virtual volunteering is one means of effecting change for individuals and organizations through technology. Virtual volunteers make themselves available to contribute time and expertise online. These volunteer projects often involve mentoring and the development of websites. Additionaly, online writing and editing contributions provide many resources for community based organizations, such as press releases and grant applications. Through virtual volunteering, professional individuals and stay-at-home parents who may not otherwise have the time and flexibility to volunteer are able to make contributions within and outside their communities. Senior citizens and some individuals with disabilities have found virtual volunteering to be a means of volunteering with greater ease.
Virtual volunteering has the potential of making great strides for teachers and students to address academic standards. The curriculum can be augmented through a project that involves a 'virtual' expert. Students may also apply their own time, skills and expertise as volunteers from the classroom. Whether students consider volunteering themselves or are seeking contributions from an outside volunteer for help with class work or a service-learning project, it is advised that they have a well-defined issue to be addressed before an online volunteer opportunity is sought or posted. A virtual volunteer exchange also necessitates that both sides can be prompt and responsive to email correspondence.
A notable advantage of involving online volunteers and providing volunteer services online is that groups and individuals are able to collaborate with and reach targeted groups. A connection can be established with people who may otherwise be difficult to reach because of circumstances such as distance, disability or age. Once the need for a volunteer or an opportunity to volunteer has been established, classrooms can announce or seek volunteer opportunities through appropriate newsgroups and listserves.
The following are some of the many examples of such online services:
- Mentoring: In New York City, adults who may not otherwise have the time or inclination are serving as mentors and assisting students from low-income neighborhoods through an online mentoring program called iMentor, http://www.imentor.com/.
- Involving People With Disabilities: Many individuals who have difficulty volunteering because of a disability are finding new ways to contribute their skills and expertise online. Volunteers with disabilities can be recruited for assistance. Other opportunities exist for students with disabilities through organizations and volunteers who seek collaboration with individuals with disabilities. http://www.serviceleader.org/vv/atech/index.html
- Recruiting Senior Volunteers: Find senior volunteers with particular areas of expertise. http://www.serviceleader.org/vv/seniors.html
- Creating a Safe Internet Environment: Build a safe Internet community for kids. Adults, teens and kids have an opportunity to participate as volunteers. http://www.isafe.org/volunteer.htm
The following organizations catalogue virtual volunteering opportunities:
- Volunteer Match – http://www.volunteermatch.org/virtual/
- InterConnection (Global Volunteering) - http://www.interconnection.org/volunteer/volunteer.htm
- Idealist - http://www.idealist.org/
- Service Leader - http://www.serviceleader.org/ (Become/Find a Mentor)
- Recruit Senior Volunteers: Find senior volunteers with particular areas of expertise.http://www.mentoring.org
- Recruit Senior Volunteers: Find senior volunteers with particular areas of expertise.
- The Virtual Volunteer Project - http://www.serviceleader.org/vv/
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: A History and Timeline
Advanced Reflection Tactics for High School Students
Cyber Service: Real Time Rewards
Civil Rights Quiz for Your Classroom
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: A Day of Service-Learning
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The Pennsylvania Service-Learning Alliance dissolved as of June 30, 2007. The website will stay posted for one more year, so please share the resources. We are sorry that we will not be able to answer any questions you may have. Good luck with all your future service-learning endeavors!