Here at St Thomas, we have come up with an academic eLearning program that closely mimics our classroom environment. Every student has a Google Chromebook assigned to them so transitioning to online learning from home when needed is effective in continuing on their learning path.
Pre-K through 4th grades utilize SeeSaw, which has allowed for an easy transition to continue learning new material. The teachers are able to teach their lessons through videos that they assign to the students and the students reply with either videos, pictures or notes. This platform also allows communication between the teachers and students to ask questions, send back work with notes of what to correct, etc. The students use IXL and other programs throughout the year so they are able to continue working in them at home.
Our 5th through 8th grades use Google Classroom throughout the year while at school so this transitions well for eLearning. The teachers have a schedule of Google Meets that the students can attend to ask questions, review for tests/quizzes, and for further explanation of material that is more effective in real time. They also use IXL and other programs and can continue working in them at their level. Flipgrid is another platform the students use to send projects to their teachers.
The transition to eLearning has lessened the disruption from snow days and days off of school that are not planned. The same technology is used throughout the year in the classroom so it is a more seamless transition.
