eLearning Guidelines
What is eLearning?
Southmont Schools believe that continuity of instruction in the event of the loss of an instructional day is a critical component to our students’ success. Therefore, our schools will provide the opportunity for students to interact with their teachers as needed through the use of technology to ensure continuous instruction. If school is cancelled for any reason during the school year, that day will be an eLearning day.
Why have eLearning days?
Southmont Schools has prioritized the continued use and integration of technology to support learning. As a society that has embraced the use of technology, we cannot ignore the importance schools should place on students’ ability to use technology responsibly and efficiently to learn.
What will an eLearning day look like for students?
All staff and students in our district access and utilize Google Classroom and Google Apps for Education in addition to other digital resources on a regular basis to learn. On eLearning days, students will access assignments through their Google Classrooms (and/or other digital sources) as they would while present at school. The structure of the day and teacher availability for support will vary depending on the type of eLearning day.
Inclement Weather or Emergency Cancellation Day
Lessons and assignments will be posted by 10:00AM and will be a continuation of the previous instruction. Teachers will be available for support from 10:00AM through 3:00PM.
Planned Shutdown Day
Lessons and assignments will be shared during typical school hours and will be a continuation of the previous instruction. Teachers will be available for support during typical school hours.
Students who do not have internet access at home may have the following options available to them depending on conditions and availability:
● Visit the parking lot of one of our schools where student wifi is available
● Visit the home of a friend or family member where wifi is available
● Visit one of the public libraries or a business in our community that provides public wifi
● Students may work offline on assignments previously downloaded to their Google Drive
How will attendance be taken?
Students will be expected to complete assignments and have them returned to their teacher by the next school day. If the work is not completed in the time given by the school, the student will be marked absent for the eLearning day and will have an appropriate number of days to make up the work (as determined at the building level).
What if a student’s school-issued device is not working?
In the rare event that a device stops working on an eLearning day. Students may use any internet-connected device to access their assigned work. If a student does not have another internet-connected device, or access to wifi, he/she may be able to use a device made available to the public at the local libraries. In order to validate that the device is non-functioning, the student must take the device to the technology department for repair immediately upon return to school the next day.
If a student is having difficulty with his/her device, he/she should contact the technology department before it would be needed for an eLearning Day.
What are the expectations for lessons and assignments?
All lessons created by teachers for eLearning days will be delivered online through Google Classroom (or other digital media) and available for students to complete electronically. Based upon state guidelines, each level (elementary, middle, high school) will have maximum expectations for the amount of time students should work on lessons.
Elementary students will generally work no more than three (3) hours on eLearning assignments:
● English/Language Arts and Mathematics: 45 minutes
● Other Areas: 30 minutes
Junior High students will generally work no more than three (3) hours on eLearning assignments:
● English/Language Arts and Mathematics: 45 minutes
● Other Areas: 30 minutes
High School students will generally work no more than four (4) hours on eLearning assignments:
● English/Language Arts and Mathematics: 60
● Science, Social Studies, World Language: 60 minutes
● AP Classes: 60 minutes
● Other Areas: 45 minutes
Assignments will include “direct instruction” (which could include reviewing a website or text, watching a video, etc.) and a “processing activity” (which might include virtual discussion participation, creating a project or original work, answering questions, etc.). Assignments for an eLearning day will be posted in the teachers’ Google Classrooms, and each teacher will be available for support or assistance.
What considerations are in place for students with special needs?
For those students who require special accommodations to meet their individual needs, teachers will work very closely with special needs staff, support staff and students and their families to ensure their assignments reflect both individual education plans and expected learning objectives for the class. Special Education staff will work closely with parents to eLearning days considerations are reflected in their children’s IEP’s.
What will an eLearning day look like for teachers?
Teachers may work from home, the school or elsewhere and will ensure student lessons and assignments are posted to their Google Classrooms. Teachers will be available virtually or by distance to assist students should they need additional help.