The Hamilton County Schools Mobile Learning Lab made its maiden voyage last week as teachers led interactive lessons outside East Ridge Elementary School.
HCS Mobile Learning Labs provide a community outreach service offering academic support to currently enrolled K-5 students in the areas of math, science, literacy and the arts.
Jennifer Defur and Rita Schubert, two HCS educators who work with English language learners, guided around 25 students from the Missionary Ridge community in literacy and art activities across three learning stations.
“Learning happens everywhere, not just inside a school building,” says Defur, an ESOL teacher at East Ridge Elementary School. “We’re excited about using these mobile learning labs to support underserved students, close learning gaps and deepening relationships with our surrounding communities.”
The HCS Mobile Learning Labs will benefit hundreds of elementary students per semester by providing additional learning time outside of school and engaging parents in their child’s education.
They will meet students and families in their communities to teach parents how they can support learning at home while providing students with additional learning opportunities outside the traditional classroom.
HCS Mobile Learning Labs are renovated miniature school buses that have been outfitted with furniture and educational tools to create a classroom on wheels. They can also transport materials that can be used to set up an interactive learning environment.
Eventual plans include adding Wi-Fi hot spots and increasing visits to community sites such as parks, apartment complexes or other neighborhood locations.
The HCS Mobile Learning Labs are the product of a partnership between the HCS Foundation, The Passage, Range Projects, Ally Architecture and Sign-Rite.
There are three Mobile Learning Labs serving the five learning communities of HCS.
Source: HCS