Preparing students for remote learning in the fall

BY PAUL JUNOR

School boards finalized their back-to -school plans and remote learning will be an integral part of them.

The Ministry of Education released its final plan on August 6^th, 2020 and since then there has been much confusion and uncertainties. In order to prepare for online learning, the Ministry of Education released a Policy/Memorandum No. 164 on Thursday, August 13^th, 2020 titled, “Requirements for Remote Learning.” (www.edu.gov.on.ca)

The purpose is to, “Ensure that students across Ontario receive a consistent approach to remote learning in times of extended interruption to conventional in-person learning.” It is meant to “Provide directions to school boards on remote learning requirements including implementations and reporting.” As well as “Identifies effective practices that school boards should develop to support students during remote learning.”

In order to ensure that there is additional clarification the Ministry of Education has defined what is remote learning and distinguished between synchronous and asynchronous learning. Remote learning is, “Learning that occurs when classes are taught at a distance, and when students and educators are not in a conventional classroom setting.”

Synchronous learning is, “Learning that happens in real-time” and “involves using text, video, or voice communication in a way that enables educators and other members of the school or board-based team to instruct and connect with students in real-time.”

On the other hand, asynchronous learning is, “Learning that is not delivered in real-time” and it, “may involve students watching pre-recorded video lessons, completing assigned boards or contributing to our discussion boards.”

Since the closure of all publicly funded schools in Ontario on March 12^th, 2020 the Minister of Education, Stephen Leece has been in favour of live, real-time synchronous learning. The memorandum states that, “It supports the well-being and academic achievement of all students, including students with special needs, by providing educators and students with an interactive and engaging way of learning. It helps teachers provide immediate feedback to students and enables students to interact with one another.”

In order to help school boards across Ontario, the memorandum outlined seven requirements that must be adhered to:

Minimum requirements for engaging students during remote learning

1. Minimum requirements for synchronous learning
2. Process for exemption from synchronous learning
3. Protocols for exemption from synchronous learning
4. Access to remote learning devices such as: laptops, tablets and the internet.
5. Standardized route of synchronous learning platform
6. Cyber security, privacy and online safety

It is expected by the Ministry of Education that the school boards, “Develop effective practices to help students and educators during periods of remote learning” which involve the following:

Providing technical support for remote learning

1. Providing educator training
2. Using standardized platforms
3. Setting out roles and responsibilities

In order to help parents/guardians/caregivers it is important that they are in communication with their child/children’s school. For those who have selected, home schooling as an option, remote learning will be the mode of learning.

School boards will ensure that children have access to virtual learning platforms that they will communicate to them. Students will need to have access to technologies such as: computers, tablets, iPads that many students received from their school boards. In addition, they will need access to high-speed Internet service that is reliable and consistent.

The Ontario government has not indicated whether it will provide iPad devices that are equipped with free wireless data. Parents who will be home schooling their children should contact their school boards to ensure their children can participate fully in online learning.