Overview of Virtual HELPS (VH)
- In response to COVID-19 and schools moving to virtual learning, Helping Education developed and tested a model for implementing the HELPS program virtually.
- We tested VH for 6 months in 5 different sites within and outside of North Carolina. Here’s what we found from this pilot testing:
- Finding 1: Students in the VH pilot responded as well to VH when compared to a similar group of students who received in-person HELPS last fall.
- Finding 2: Online training and coaching in VH was just as effective as our research-based training and coaching that occurs in person.
- Finding 3: Students, their parents/caregivers, and VH teachers/tutors all reported very high satisfaction across a wide range of aspects and components related to VH.
- Finding 4: VH methods are here to stay! Even after all students are safely back to school, VH implementation (in combination with in-person methods) should be able to strengthen teachers’ use of HELPS in time- and cost-efficient ways. In our workshop you will learn more about how to continue benefitting from VH long after the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Effective VH implementation requires several uniquely developed digital tools. These tools are not complicated to use but are essential to ensure student engagement, motivation, proper use of HELPS strategies, and more. All digital tools will be provided for free to attendees of upcoming VH workshops.
- Currently, Helping Education is working with several organizations to support VH implementation with at least 1,000 students. You are welcome to attend a VH training and start working with your students right away, but Helping Education is also happy to partner with you and your school to provide VH support that goes beyond workshop training if you’re interested.