Dubai schools reveal formula for remote learning excellence
Quick mobilisation, consultation with parents and flexible timings yielded results
Prompt action and constant feedback from students and parents helped Dubai private schools achieve the highest rating in the first Distance Learning Evaluation (DLE), educators said.
Schools rated ‘Developed’ said swiftly mobilising digital platforms and staying flexible on virtual class timings and formats made the difference.
In a joint initiative, the Ministry of Education and private education authorities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah introduced DLE to check how well schools conducted online classes.
Ambassador International Academy (AIA) was the only IB school in Dubai rated ‘Developed’ in all 13 DLE ‘themes’, said Kamal Kalwani, vice-chairperson of AIA and Ambassador Schools in Dubai and Sharjah.
Smaller virtual classrooms
AIA converted KG class of 20 students and primary class of 25 into groups of no more than five for online lessons.
It also introduced a ‘creative timetable’ that ensured there was a balance between live lessons and other activities throughout the school day. The KG students had up to twoand-a-half hours of lessons and primary up to five hours a day.
The school communicated with parents on a weekly and bi-weekly basis through online calls to discuss students’ progress and to train them on how to support disstance learning.
“We achieved this with the entire learning community — parents, teachers, staff, and governors — collaborating. Overall, only 15 schools out of 207 in Dubai achieved 13 out of 13 themes as Developed. AIA — the only new school [a year old] and the only IB school in Dubai — and our Ambassador School — the youngest Indian ICSE school in Dubai — achieved this,” Kalwani said.
Another ‘13/13’ ‘Developed’ school, GEMS Modern Academy, said its senior leadership team researched “age-appropriate” distance learning best practices adopted by schools that reopened before it did.
“This considered approach, with constant consultations with parents, daily reflections and everyone pitching in helped us execute our plan well,” Nargish Khambatta, principal of GEMS Modern Academy, said.
Making expectations clear
Oaktree Primary School, which also ranked ‘Developed’ in all 13 themes, said it sent out “clear expectations” on distance learning right at the start.
Ian McNiff, group director of schools, Athena Education, which runs Oaktree, said students’ feedback was regularly collected to see how online classes were working out.
“For example, we re-adjusted online platforms and timings to suit families. We were also very quick off the mark, communicating clear expectations from teachers and students,” McNiff said.
Raza Khan, CEO Al Najah Education, said: “I’m delighted that every single Al Najah school in Dubai achieved the highest possible rating. This is testament to our excellent leadership and teachers who were able to mobilise e-learning.”