{"id":27585,"date":"2020-09-07T11:13:44","date_gmt":"2020-09-07T15:13:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ashtonschool.edu.do\/?p=27585"},"modified":"2020-09-09T23:01:00","modified_gmt":"2020-09-10T03:01:00","slug":"secondary-school-elearning-schedule-and-platforms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ashtonschool.edu.do\/es\/news\/announcements\/secondary-school-elearning-schedule-and-platforms\/","title":{"rendered":"Calendario y plataformas de aprendizaje electr\u00f3nico de la escuela secundaria"},"content":{"rendered":"

Next Tuesday we will be concluding the 2<\/span>nd<\/span> Cycle of orientation, reviews and social-emotional interventions and be ready to officially begin new content for the 2020-2021 school year.\u00a0 These first days were also intended to evaluate how the students are responding to the eLearning modality and to implement new online platforms as deemed necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n

The design of the eLearning plan comes after months of conducting research and studies into best practices for online learning, and considering the feedback from teachers, students and parents as to how the students are engaging with and reacting to distance learning modalities.\u00a0 We have also been ensuring that teachers have the resources to create quality lesson plans and carry out instruction in this new fashion.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

<\/h3>\n

The Schedule:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Last spring, when we found ourselves having to implement emergency distance learning, the Middle and High School eLearning platform consisted fully of synchronous encounters where students connected live with their teachers for the entire school day.\u00a0 Our goal was to provide students with a certain sense of \u201cnormalcy\u201d during a potentially emotionally challenging time.\u00a0 Students knew that despite the crisis that was quickly unfolding, they could find their teachers in the same place and same time every day.\u00a0 Our full-day synchronous connections did serve its purpose.\u00a0 However, we knew full well that research shows that a longer term distance learning plan would have to include a balance of both synchronous and asynchronous teaching and learning.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During the synchronous encounters, which will still be the primary format, students are able to not only engage directly with their teacher, but with their classmates as well.\u00a0 However, we must also be careful to not overload students with screen time.\u00a0 Asynchronous encounters also allow for more self-directed and self-paced learning.\u00a0 Students also benefit from the experience of exploring on their own and even being able to connect at different times of the day when they are more rested from the synchronous screen time.\u00a0 Nonetheless, even when our schedule calls for asynchronous learning, teachers will be available to connect if a student needs additional guidance.\u00a0 Below is the revised general format for the Secondary School schedule.\u00a0 Your child\u2019s detailed schedule with the specific subjects per day is found in the Classroom Site.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nMonday<\/b><\/td>\nTuesday<\/b><\/td>\nWednesday<\/b><\/td>\nThursday<\/b><\/td>\nFriday<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8:00-10:15<\/span><\/td>\nLive synchronous teaching and learning<\/span><\/td>\nLive synchronous teaching and learning<\/span><\/td>\nLive synchronous teaching and learning<\/span><\/td>\nLive synchronous teaching and learning<\/span><\/td>\n8:00-9:00<\/span><\/p>\n

Asynchronous learning<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

10:15-10:30<\/span><\/td>\nBreak<\/span><\/td>\nBreak<\/span><\/td>\nBreak<\/span><\/td>\nBreak<\/span><\/td>\n9:00-10:00<\/span><\/p>\n

Live synchronous teaching and learning,\u00a0 if the student wishes to connect.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

10:30-12:00<\/span><\/td>\nLive synchronous teaching and learning<\/span><\/td>\nLive synchronous teaching and learning<\/span><\/td>\nLive synchronous teaching and learning<\/span><\/td>\nLive synchronous teaching and learning<\/span><\/td>\n10:00-12:00<\/span><\/p>\n

Asynchronous learning<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

12:00-1:25<\/span><\/td>\nLunch\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nLunch\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nLunch\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nLunch\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1:25-2:55<\/span><\/td>\nAsynchronous learning with teacher available to connect with students as needed<\/span><\/td>\nAsynchronous learning with teacher available to connect with students as needed<\/span><\/td>\nAsynchronous learning with teacher available to connect with students as needed<\/span><\/td>\nAsynchronous learning with teacher available to connect with students as needed<\/span><\/td>\n12:00-1:25<\/span> Lunch<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n1:25-2:55<\/span><\/p>\n

Asynchronous learning<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

<\/h3>\n

Important components about the schedule include:<\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Synchronous (live connections) will start at 8:00 a.m. and continue until 12:00 p.m.;<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Teachers will insert short five-minute breaks in between subjects as deemed necessary;<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Students will have 15 minutes for recess to use the bathroom and get a snack;<\/span><\/li>\n
  • The majority of the day will consist of live (synchronous) connections, but teachers will encourage students to work away from the screen when possible (i.e. to read in his\/her favorite spot of the room, to work on <\/span>a project<\/span>, etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n
  • During the 1:25 to 2:55 asynchronous hours, teachers will be available to connect if a student needs guidance with the instructions;<\/span><\/li>\n
  • The work posted for asynchronous Friday will be clear and manageable for students to develop independent learning and research skills.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • On asynchronous Friday, the teachers will be available during a 9:00-10:00 office hour where students may connect live for additional guidance.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • The lunch break allows for students and parents to have lunch together whenever possible in each home.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

    <\/h3>\n

    The Platforms:<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Google Sites<\/b> will continue to be the platform to access all of our eLearning classrooms. \u00a0 Please do not share the link to our eLearning platform with anyone other than your child.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    While we wanted to start with the same video conference platform that was familiar to students and parents (Google Meet) we also left the door open to the possibility of incorporating another platform such as <\/span>Zoom<\/b>.\u00a0 As of this 2<\/span>nd<\/span> Cycle, teachers have been communicating with you about making this very easy transition.\u00a0 The Advisory teacher will create the \u201cone link\u201d connection and all subject teachers will connect through that link.\u00a0 This eliminates the need to connect to different links for different subjects. \u00a0 <\/span>Teachers will protect entry into the eLearning classrooms by creating waiting rooms and only allowing entry to their students.\u00a0 If your child will be connecting from a device that is not clearly identified with his\/her or your names, please inform your child\u2019s Advisory teacher in advance.\u00a0 Otherwise, the teacher will not know to give your child entry.\u00a0 Please understand that in order to ensure the protection of your child\u2019s identity, this is a necessary measure.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Google Classroom<\/b> will be the primary resource for the creation of assignments, providing feedback and for students to send their work to their teachers.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Further down the road when your child\u2019s teachers begin to provide feedback from assessments, you will be able to monitor your child\u2019s progress through <\/span>RenWeb\/FACTS<\/b>, our student information system.\u00a0 Parent training for Secondary School grades will take place on the dates shown below.\u00a0 Feel free to sign up for one of these sessions by clicking on the day and time that you prefer.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>