University-Community Links:
Building a Pathway to Higher Education
Through Informal Learning Activities

UC Links Annual Report
'06-'07
PDF VERSION


UC Links Video

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UC Links at UC San Diego
La Clase Mágica Video

  


UC Links  

UC Links is a network of educational programs that connect community and university partners to provide computer-based and other learning activities for school children. Working in small groups, older and younger children learn together through informal activities exploring a variety of educational software, Internet-based resources, and other educational materials. University students enrolled in UC Links undergraduate coursework take part in community-based after-school or in-school programs and help guide the children through a variety of learning activities designed to promote literacy, math, science, and computer skills, as well as collaborative behavior.

Drawing on the knowledge of parents and teachers in the local community, each site in the UC Links network is adapted to serve the special concerns, interests and needs of local children and their families. The community's role in the collaboration is to define themes and activities appropriate for their children. The university's role is sustained through undergraduate coursework that connects faculty and students' community service activities with undergraduate education. As a whole, UC Links represents:

  • an international network of school, community, and university people with broad expertise in making these programs work, and
  • a growing pool of technology-based software, Internet learning materials and other educational resources for children of different ages and grade levels.

UC Links Program Goals

  • To develop and sustain long-term university-community collaborations that lay a path to lifelong learning for students and their families from diverse backgrounds;
  • To extend technology-based and other educational resources to youth who would not otherwise have access;
  • To develop technology-based learning activities that help to build children's academic and social skills;
  • To provide quality after-school care and learning activities for children in a wide range of communities.

Who’s Involved?

Families:

    • Older and younger siblings
    • Parents
    • Grandparents
    • Other extended family members

Community:

    • Community members and groups
    • Community organizations (Boys & Girls Clubs, Churches, etc.)
    • Local agencies (e.g. Head Start, Healthy Start, etc.)
    • Local businesses leaders and representatives

Schools:

    • Students
    • Teachers
    • Principals
    • Staff

University:

    • Undergraduate/Graduate students
    • Campus outreach staff
    • Faculty
    • Postdoctoral students

Benefits for Collaborators

UC Links Outcomes

UC Links activities increase students' academic and social skills through the shared use of technology and other educational resources. Evaluation results for students participating in UC Links programs indicate improved basic literacy, greater information literacy, improved collaborative behavior and attitudes, and increased aspirations for higher learning. Overall, UC Links opens a path to lifelong learning for students of all ages, by increasing access to technology-based learning activities and resources and other educational materials for youth from diverse backgrounds.

For more information on UC Links, please contact:


Visit the 5th Dimension/UC Links clearinghouse at:
http://129.171.53.1/blantonw/5dClhse/clearingh1.html

Visit the very first 5th Dimension/UC Links site at:
http://lchc.ucsd.edu/FifthDimension