The strength and impact of the COVID-19 Digital Classroom stem from the deep, collaborative spirit of our member organizations. We are a purpose-built alliance of international experts, each bringing a unique and critical skill set to the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic. With over 50 years of combined experience in epidemic response, health systems strengthening, and digital education, we have united to ensure millions of frontline health workers have the life-saving information they need to protect their communities.
The Power of Collaboration in a Global Crisis
No single organization can solve a global health crisis alone. Our collective was formed on the principle that by combining our distinct strengths, we can create a resource that is far more comprehensive, effective, and accessible than anything we could build individually. Each member plays a vital role in the lifecycle of our content—from development and technical review to translation and global dissemination.
Community Health Academy (Lead Organization)
The Community Health Academy serves as the lead and convening partner for the COVID-19 Digital Classroom. Housed at the renowned organization Last Mile Health, the Academy brings unparalleled expertise in training and empowering community health workers in the world’s most remote settings.
Key Contributions:
- Strategic Leadership: Guides the overall vision and direction of the collective.
- Platform Host: Hosts our free, open-source training courses on its robust and mobile-optimized digital learning platform.
- Accessibility Expertise: Leverages deep experience working directly with Ministries of Health to ensure all content is designed for maximum accessibility and usability, even in low-bandwidth environments.
- Curriculum Design: Informs the pedagogical approach of our courses to ensure they are practical, engaging, and effective for adult learners in diverse cultural contexts.
CORE Group
With decades of experience in convening global health professionals, especially during public health emergencies, CORE Group serves as our vital link to a vast network of practitioner experts. They ensure our content is not only medically accurate but also practical and relevant for diverse and often overlooked populations.
Key Contributions:
- Technical Review and Vetting: Mobilizes its network of global health experts to serve as technical reviewers, ensuring all content is evidence-based and of the highest quality.
- Content Development: Contributes to the creation of new resources, focusing on critical adaptations for specific vulnerable populations.
- Focus on Equity: Ensures our materials address the unique challenges faced by key groups, including:
- People with disabilities.
- Individuals living in urban informal settlements (slums).
- Pastoralist and other remote communities.
Medical Aid Films
Medical Aid Films is a global leader in creating powerful, engaging multimedia health content specifically designed to overcome literacy and language barriers. They are experts at transforming complex medical information into simple, memorable, and shareable visual stories.
Key Contributions:
- Multimedia Content Development: Leads the production of high-impact animated videos and other visual tools for training and community messaging.
- Addressing Low-Literacy: Specializes in creating content that is clear and effective for audiences with varying levels of literacy, ensuring our messages reach the most vulnerable populations.
- Visual Storytelling: Uses the power of animation and film to create emotionally resonant content that drives behavior change and improves health outcomes.
TechChange
TechChange is at the forefront of instructional design and technology for social change. They are the architects behind our high-quality, interactive online courses, ensuring a dynamic and effective learning experience for every health worker.
Key Contributions:
- Interactive Course Development: Leads the design and development of our series of short, engaging, and interactive courses.
- Instructional Design Expertise: Applies cutting-edge principles of adult learning and online education to create courses that are not just informative but truly build skills and confidence.
- Technology Integration: Ensures our courses are technically sound, user-friendly, and function seamlessly on the Community Health Academy platform.
Translators without Borders
Information is only life-saving if it can be understood. Translators without Borders (TWB) is a global community dedicated to breaking down language barriers. They ensure our critical health information is accessible to community health workers and the populations they serve, regardless of the language they speak.
Key Contributions:
- Professional Translation Services: Supports the translation of our animated videos, training courses, and library resources into a wide range of languages.
- Cultural Adaptation: Ensures that translations are not just literal but also culturally appropriate and resonant with local communities.
- Expanding Global Reach: Dramatically increases the accessibility and impact of our resources, allowing them to be used effectively in countries and communities across the globe.
Digital Medic
Digital Medic is a vital initiative of the prestigious Stanford Center for Health Education. Their mission is to improve health outcomes worldwide by creating and distributing accurate, timely, and understandable health information. They bring a strong academic and evidence-based approach to our collective.
Key Contributions:
- Building Health Workforce Capacity: Contributes expertise in developing educational content that builds sustainable capacity for the global health workforce.
- Promoting Health-Seeking Behaviors: Creates content designed to sustain knowledge gains and increase positive health-promoting behaviors among communities.
- Commitment to Accuracy: Reinforces our collective’s commitment to providing scientifically accurate and understandable health information to a global audience.