Multiskilled mums and dads to keep home schooled kids on task
If parents thought it was hard to get their kids out the door to school, the looming remote learning will call on them to ensure their kids are following a strict school timetable. Here’s how it’s going to work, and tips on making life easier.
Education
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Schools, with the support of parents looking over their kids’ shoulders, are proposing to run a tight ship as the possibility of remote learning looms.
In a plan for one secondary school seen by the Herald Sun, strict guidelines outline that students are to be offline for 20-minute recesses and 50-minute lunch breaks.
Although there is nothing stopping students, who have been banned from using mobile phones during class in government schools this year, to spend time on them.
The academic day proposed by super school Footscray High School would be 9am to 3.10pm day and have five periods.
Each class will take a roll via the Compass platform but there is nothing to stop parents absenting their children via the platform for mental health days and illness.
Classes will be delivered via Google Meet and Google Classroom. Teachers have been told that they must have Google Meet open for 20 minutes each class to enable students to ask questions.
Any assessment normally conducted under test conditions will be suspended while schools are closed as they cannot be authenticated.
If teachers are ill the class will be cancelled via Google Classroom.
Practical classes such as art and textile will not take place so teachers are encouraged to prepare class plans covering theory. Any materials need to be made available before any shutdown as students may not be able to return to school to collect them.
After the 3.10pm knock off students will be urged to email teachers for clarification of tasks and feedback.
Tasks have to be completed on a device or uploaded as a picture.
In some instances the school is saying that more time than would normally be needed in class to finish an assignment may be needed.
Also teachers have been told to keep tasks and instructions simple.
While many private schools have moved online this week or plan to do so from Monday, the State Government school system has thus far made no announcements.
However, schools have been fine tuning and trialling online learning. The Herald Sun has had feedback that these have had mixed results.
In a letter to students, families, carers and staff, Footscray High School executive principal Frank Vetere said: “We are confronted with the reality that we must adapt and adapt quickly to a new way of teaching and learning. The safety and wellbeing of our school community is crucial during these challenging times of uncertainty.”
“These are challenging and unprecedented times for our school, community and the world and I thank your for your support as we continue forward together,” he said.
Mr Vetere said at this stage the advice was for schools to remain open from an operational perspective. Footscray High School is a merger of Footscray City College and Gilmore College.
“However, if these circumstances change and the school is required to cease face-to-face teaching it is important that we have a plan in place,” he said.
At one eastern suburban high school school teachers were told last Friday they needed to have all their resources with them and to treat their car boot as their office.
Mr Vetere said should the learning move online it was important to run to a timetable as described to help maintain routine and normality.
“To support student wellbeing and positive mental health, teachers will also touch base with students regularly via email and virtual meetings,” Mr Vetere said.
“We understand that working online may not be suitable for all families. We will address this on a case-by-case basis ensuring that all families are supported.”
Should students be sent home to learn they are encouraged to find a comfortable and quiet place to learn.
Students can also access wellbeing staff and IT support.
Wellbeing teachers are being urged to help students with strategies to assist with anxiety, isolation and other issues.
Staff have been urged to provide timely feedback as students will have less opportunities to bring up issues and questions than in a face-to-face learning environment.
Footscray High has also asked staff to consider the size of files to be downloaded by students as some students may have limited wi-fi access.
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