Schools adapt to distance learning
ALTHOUGH all primary and post primary schools have now shut their doors until March 29, school leaders and pupils are continuing on business as usual while adjusting to the new reality of online learning.
Communications are continuing constantly between the Department of Education and Skills and educators, but the State Examinations Commission are yet to postpone any forthcoming state exams with exams scheduled to go ahead as normal.
Sixth year student at Gorey Community School Conor Brennan, and President of the Student Council there is continuing his studies at home this week, and is keeping calm and confident about his Leaving Certificate that is approaching.
‘Due to the schools being closed we are now working remotely using our office 365 accounts and the teams app which allows teachers to set us work on the teams app, and we can also use submit work on the teams app.
‘Teachers are posting work on the teams daily and we are being kept up to date on news about CAO student accommodation etc on outlook because each student has an individual school email where they can be emailed directly. Teachers are also able to post videos of them doing the work and also live class video conferencing is also available over the teams,’ he said.
Michael Finn, Principal of Gorey Community School said that closing all schools was the right decision.
‘Although we didn’t have advanced notice, we had an idea but the announcement took us all by surprise. The only way to try and help contain this situation is by taking very strong decisive action. If we look at the model adopted in China, while quite challenging, the evidence appears to suggest that this approach works which is hopeful.
‘We are doing this for the right reasons and we are prepared, it’s going very well so far. With remote access, we have a dedicated IT technician as a member of staff. We will continue studying and working, and each student will keep up contact with their teachers.
‘It’s a waiting game to see what the state exams are going to do, but it’s not something for the students to worry about. Measures will have to be put in place to recognise this stoppage and I’ve no doubt that all will be taken in to account’.
The school calendar is changing, but Michael hopes that students use this opportunity to get their revision done as most Leaving Cert coursework is near completion.
‘We’ve cancelled the Berlin trip which is unfortunate really. The school had to take the decision after a risk assessment, and we found it to be too high. Students and parents are disappointed.
‘Technically under the guidelines, school tours can still continue but it leaves us in a tricky position. I can say that the Camino trip is definitely cancelled, so there’ll be a full refund and our Iceland trip which was to depart during the Easter holidays, we’ll just have to monitor the situation closely. We want the best possible outcome of this,’ he said.
Meanwhile contrasting is Creagh College, as Principal Paul Glynn confirmed that localised trips going forward most likely would be cancelled as academic learning would be the only focus once the school reopens.
‘Every trip and extra curricular activity, everything will be cancelled to help tuition including the school sports day, I’m sure students will be disappointed to lose that. Our position is that we have to take advice from the medical profession and trust that the government are taking advice. It’s an international and national health emergency, if there’s a bit of set back, it’s okay to minimise the impact on health and wellbeing.
‘I’ve been really impressed with students who have got on with their business and I’m very grateful to them for that. If I could offer advice to them, I’d suggest minimising time on social media.
‘We are very well set up here to do online learning, ipads are already used in class regularly and teachers are providing work, prioritising third and sixth year students.
‘I would advise students to follow the school time table and do 40 minutes on each subject. As a parent myself, with a long weekend I know that lazy habits could set in and make it hard to go back but our students should be well able to focus. They are very calm and will be responsible. We have to remember that there’s a reason for this.
‘We had a trip to Poland planned for April 3 but there is a big question mark on that now’.
The Department have advised that all pupils and students, from pre-school to third level practice social distancing and minimise physical contact with each other, to help avoid the spread of Covid-19.
This should include minimising social contact, avoiding meeting up and keeping physical space between them. Parents and guardians are urged to support their children to maintain this approach.
The Department of Education and Skills has been liaising closely on a continual basis with the Department of Health in relation to Coronavirus/Covid-19 since early January and a spokesperson confirmed that this will continue.