Active learning during global coronavirus crisis

BY PAUL JUNOR

Over 2 million elementary and secondary students have extra weeks off from schools in Ontario. The Minister of Education Stephen Leece issued a Ministerial Order to close all publicly funded schools for two weeks following the March Break, which will extend from March 23^rd to April 6^th in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Subsequently, Stephen Leece wrote in an open letter to public school parents on Sunday, March 22^nd,”The fluidity of developments around COVID-19 means we are preparing if closure period is further extended. Specifically, we are working to ensure that students will be able to continue their coursework and credit accumulation, even when we aren’t able to be in a classroom setting. Online resources have been prepared and are available to students.”

On Friday, March 20^th, the Ministry of Education released a “Learn at Home” online portal, which provides resources for parents to use with their children. These online lessons are to help students with their math and literary skills and because they are optional, they will not be graded as part of students’ final grades. They are not meant to replace the learning at school and are “Curriculum link” according to the Minister.

There is a focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) courses. The new e-learning website offers a plethora of essential courses from Grade 9-12 for high school students. Ontario-certified teachers in conjunction with the Ontario College of Teachers prepared them. The ministry plans to update the courses in the coming weeks.

For elementary students from K-grade 6, the government will rely on educational programming from Television Ontario (TVO) to offer carbon-based Math, Science and Language classes. In addition, Scholastic is offering free online courses that children can access at home. In an article by CNN on March 15^th, the educational company launched a “Learn at Home” website with daily courses available from Pre-kindergarten to grades 6 and higher. It is divided into four sections based on grade level with five days of work currently available.

Fifteen more days of work will be subsequently available. No sign up is required and the website is accessible on any device that has internet and is free and available 24/7.

Indigenous educators have made K-8 online lessons available according to CBC.CA on March 17^th. According to Chris Scribe, director of Indian Teacher Education (ITEP),”I want to offer these online Facebook social media classes for parents who are at home with their kids, just as they so they can connect with their learning.” Starting March 17^th, he and other teachers went “Live” as they offer Facebook lessons adapted toward different grade levels.

No high school classes have been prepared as yet. Radio times.com has made hundred of titles free to anyone who has Internet access. There are many online

Math resources available.

• Math is fun! (http://mathisfun.com)
• Math Playground (http://www.mathplayground.com/games.html)
• Algebra basics (http:/www.algebrabasics.com),
• Algebra Help (http://www.alfebrahelp.com)
• Discovery Geometry (http://www.keypress com).
• For other subjects, Khan academy has lessons on all subjects (khanaacademy.com).

Science materials are available at stao.on.ca and for Ontario students from K-12 learning resources are available at https://www.ontario.ca/page//learn-at-home.