Keeping learning active

on a variety of subjects.

The resources provided in the Open School are meant to encourage a student’s independent learning and for them to learn in fun and creative ways. The activities can be adapted and support and help from family or peers may be required to help complete the activities depending on the student’s situation.

New activities and resources are expected to be added regularly to keep the learning experience interesting.

To explore the Open School, visit https://www.ecoleouverte.ca/en/.

Just over a week ago, the Eastern Townships School Board launched their own learning portal called Home Learning to provide support to the students specifically in our region.

“It gives teachers and students something to talk about as well as providing interesting activities for students to think about,” said Michael Murray, Chairman of the ETSB.

The resources and activities provided by Home Learning are similar to those provided by the provincial government through the Open School.

“Part of our approach is to avoid structured lessons along the lines of what they would be getting in class. The activities suggested are not necessarily the kind of activities in progress if they were going to class,” emphasized Murray. “We are trying to encourage students to learn independently and creatively and to develop their understanding rather than simply reinforce the knowledge content of the class.”

The resources available on Home Learning are also in English and French and provide resources to students attending pre-school up to the secondary level.

While virtually all students are provided with a tablet or a Chromebook by the schoolboard, the ETSB does recognize that they have a small student population that does not have access to internet.

To help fill that gap, teachers have taken on an individual initiative to keep in touch with their students to provide as much support as they can and to answer any questions they may have.

“We’re working actively and communicating actively with families by phone and teachers have been talking to students and their families.”

Murray emphasized that while some students may not be able to access the resources of the Home Learning Portal, learning can be achieved in a variety of ways in an unstructured environment and that is what is being highly encouraged.

“We encourage them to do other activities that they can do right around the home and that they can learn from.”

He added that it was the perfect time of the year for students to get outside and learn from their surroundings; the different trees, the different types of plants and flowers that are sprouting, and the different bugs that have come out to play. “It’s that kind of observation and understanding of what’s going on in the world around them that can be a great educational experience.”

To explore the ETSB’S Home Learning portal, visit https://sites.google. com/edu.etsb.qc.ca/etsbhomelearningideas/home.