Hello Cass, it’s interesting to compare perspectives and approaches. I’m wondering what solution will school districts in BC come up with.
In France, the approach from schools was energetic and there are talks about shortening the summer break to make up for the time lost right now and also so that students can be effectively prepared for next year and also pass their exams. Schools seem really focused on having students reach all of their learning outcomes. I have heard teachers doing phone calls to reach out to some students they did not hear from online. They called several members of the family until they could locate the students. They have lengthy phone conversation with a contact person within the family to detail the assignments. Activities and assignments were sent by email and if a student did not have access to a printer/computer, a contact person in the community would prepare the material and mail them to that particular family. A lot of coaching (directed at caregivers or students) for at risk students seems to be happening by phone. On a personal note, I see that students who have support at home are progressing, have a routine, following a daily academic program with lot of supports from their parents so my concern would be that absolving assignments would only widen the gap between at risk students and other students. A lot of parents are home now, able to help their children learn, so maybe the focus should be on identifying who is at risk of falling off from the wagon for lack of support and providing more support to these specific students.
Hello Cass, it’s interesting to compare…
7 Apr
Wow, it does sound like the school board and staff are pushing out work for students quickly and efficiently as possible. A few other concerns colleagues have brought up include not only students feeling overwhelmed by the sudden change in lifestyle, but also teachers who are facing a very different work environment and having to learn and adapt quickly. While the profession involves being flexible and adapting to change, these are unusual circumstances for online learning to take precedence and it may not be fitting for many who have not had any training or experience with the technology to support an online learning community. I'm sure everyone is just trying their best, and it seems like taking it slowly and ensuring both staff and students are not overwhelmed by all the sudden changes are more important at this point (at least in BC). I agree that some students will fall behind more than others due to accessibility and availability of support at home, which needs to be addressed to the best of our ability; however, even with semi-quarantine policies in place, it may be hard to track down students when needed and work schedules for everyone are going to be strange for a while. This is just the new "normal" we'll have to adapt to for the next few months, I guess.
