Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, students have grappled with challenges ranging from self-motivation to time management, with a particularly significant hurdle being the need to develop communication skills for virtual learning. Rubin, a Virginia Beach-based provider of learning materials that enhance skills like email and phone etiquette, has offered assistance in this area by leading free webinars for educators and implementing its online curriculum, Emerge, in nearly 100 public school districts and universities. This curriculum is expected to benefit 15,000-20,000 students in the fall semester, providing guidance in email writing, virtual conversations, and presenting their best self on platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. Emerge also imparts crucial “soft skill” values like fairness, compassion, curiosity, authenticity, and active listening, serving as a substitute for on-site internships and offering real-world communication skills experience from home.
Challenges of Virtual Learning During the Pandemic
Since spring 2020, the coronavirus pandemic has placed unforeseen challenges on students nationwide. Among the obstacles, students need to manage their time and classwork from home, find motivation amid tremendous uncertainty and, perhaps less obvious, communicate with teachers via email and video conferencing like never before.
Rubin’s Response to Virtual Learning Challenges
The last challenge is where Rubin has stepped in. As a provider of learning materials for skills like email etiquette, phone etiquette and interoffice communication, Rubin has, since March 2020, led a series of free webinars for K-12 and higher ed instructors across the country and offered sample activities for virtual learning. Beyond that, the Virginia Beach-based company has worked with educators to incorporate Emerge, its online curriculum, within nearly 100 public school districts and universities from Virginia to California.
Impact of Rubin’s Emerge Curriculum
The company expects to provide the material to 15,000-20,000 students in the fall semester. Coast to coast, students need guidance on how to write an email, engage in conversation with teachers/employers and look their best through Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams.
Success Stories and Future Plans
Ariel Kirshenbaum, the career and technical education (CTE) coordinator for the West Contra Costa Unified School District (San Francisco Bay area), used Emerge during the summer for a “virtual internship” program that gave students real-world communication skills experience while at home. Faculty also employ Emerge at the college level within 20 colleges or universities including Michigan State, Alabama, George Mason, Penn State and Colorado State.
“We knew the pandemic presented an opportunity to help schools at a critical moment,” said Danny Rubin, founder of Rubin. “In many instances, our Emerge curriculum is serving in place of on-site internships and real-world opportunities so students can gain important professional development skills from home.”
Soft Skills Development Through Rubin’s Emerge Curriculum
More than lessons on email writing or networking conversations, Rubin’s Emerge curriculum imparts “soft skill” values of fairness, compassion, curiosity, authenticity and active listening.
More info on Rubin Education can be found on their website.
Question & Answer
What challenges have students faced during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Students have grappled with challenges such as self-motivation, time management, and the need to develop communication skills for virtual learning.
How has Rubin responded to the challenges of virtual learning?
Rubin has offered assistance by leading free webinars for educators and implementing its online curriculum, Emerge, in nearly 100 public school districts and universities.
What is the expected impact of Rubin’s Emerge curriculum?
The curriculum is expected to benefit 15,000-20,000 students in the fall semester by providing guidance in email writing, virtual conversations, and presenting their best self on platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.
Can you provide an example of success with Rubin’s Emerge curriculum?
Ariel Kirshenbaum, the career and technical education coordinator for the West Contra Costa Unified School District, used Emerge for a “virtual internship” program that gave students real-world communication skills experience while at home.
