Teachers urged to use live video

Use of ‘real-time learning’ inconsistent across province

Ontario teachers should be live video conferencing regularly with their students during the school shutdown, says Education Minister Stephen Lecce.

In a memo to school boards sent Friday afternoon, Lecce and Deputy Education Minister Nancy Naylor said, “while the expectation of the ministry was that educators would embrace the use of synchronous (real-time) learning during the school closure period, there has been an inconsistent uptake of this mode of learning.”

Although there are a number of options teachers should use to deliver the curriculum to students — and while a number of teachers are already holding live classes — “the ministry’s expectation is that synchronous learning be used as part of whole class instruction, in smaller groups of students, and/or in a one-on-one context.” The memo comes on the heels of a motion unanimously approved at a Toronto District School Board committee meeting Wednesday to start discussions with employee groups to ensure more “interactive” learning given schools are closed until at least the end of May because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Trustee Rachel Chernos Lin (Don Valley West) made the proposal after hearing from a number of parents about the inconsistent use of live, virtual instruction. The board’s own parent comment website is full of postings asking for “more direct contact and instruction” to motivate students.

The York Region District School Board also recently asked teachers to include synchronous learning.

At issue are union concerns about online security, students’ lack of access to the internet or family situations that could make holding live, virtual classes an issue. Some have also raised concerns about networks’ ability to handle a surge in usage.

The York local of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario has warned of teachers being exposed to “potential allegations of misconduct” if students or hackers disrupt the lesson.

On social media, Leslie Wolfe, who heads the Toronto local of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, wrote: “Many teachers have their own children home with them & are juggling that & their teaching. Many do not have quiet or private spaces in their homes to conduct face to face with students. Let’s remember, folks, this is an emergency substitute for … the classroom.”

But Lecce’s memo says students “are looking for ways to interact with their teachers,” which can be done in different ways, but “online synchronous learning experience with teachers and education workers is an effective and supportive method that will position students to succeed during the school closure period.” Lecce acknowledged some “exceptional circumstances” where live learning is not expected, including when parents don’t feel comfortable with it. If students don’t have a device or Wi-Fi access, alternative arrangements must be made, including personal outreach through phone calls,” and boards must work to get laptops or tablets to families as quickly as possible.

So far, more than 23,000 teachers have taken part in or signed up for ministry webinars on remote/online learning.