Remote Learning Program Spring 2020 - International School ...
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Remote Learning Program
Spring 2020
Table of Contents:
I. Introduction ...................................................................................................................3
A. Goals ..................................................................................................................................... 3
B. Duration................................................................................................................................ 3
II. Expectations ...................................................................................................................3
A. Leadership Team................................................................................................................... 3
B. Teachers ............................................................................................................................... 4
C. Students................................................................................................................................ 4
D. Parents.................................................................................................................................. 4
III. Student Health ...........................................................................................................5
A. Screen Time .......................................................................................................................... 5
B. Physical Movement .............................................................................................................. 5
C. Social Connection ................................................................................................................. 5
D. ISC Counseling and Support .................................................................................................. 5
IV. Learning Platforms and Tools.....................................................................................5
A. Google Classroom ................................................................................................................. 5
B. ManageBac ........................................................................................................................... 6
C. Google Meet ......................................................................................................................... 6
D. Email ..................................................................................................................................... 6
V. Remote Learning Procedures .........................................................................................6
A. General ................................................................................................................................. 6
B. Grades 1 - 4 ........................................................................................................................... 7
C. Grades 5 - 9 ........................................................................................................................... 8
D. Grade 10 ............................................................................................................................. 10
E. Grade 11 (IB) ....................................................................................................................... 10
VI. Learning Support ......................................................................................................10
A. Access to devices ................................................................................................................ 10
B. Access to internet ............................................................................................................... 11
C. Technical Support ............................................................................................................... 11
VII. Appendix ..................................................................................................................12
A. Weekly Schedule: Grades 1-10............................................................................................ 12
B. Weekly Schedule: Grade 11 (IB) .......................................................................................... 12
April 2020 2I. Introduction
A. Goals
The goal of the ISC Remote Learning Program is to provide the highest quality
educational experience possible given the circumstances and limitations of the
current COVID-19 pandemic. ISC will undertake every effort to ensure that all
students have equal access and support to the full resources and staff of the
school during their remote learning. While the expectations for learning goals
and progress during remote learning must be realistically adjusted, ISC is
committed to ensuring that students are capable of achieving the necessary
grade-level competencies in order to be prepared for the start of the next
school year. Lastly, in keeping with our identity as a school built around
project-based and social-emotional learning, we are also committed to
providing innovative and creative courses for our students in a way that
delivers on the full mission of ISC.
B. Duration
The Ministry of Education has set May 4th as the target date upon which the
school will begin a slow return to normal operations. This step-by-step return
to on-campus learning will take place at different times depending on the
student’s age. ISC will communicate grade-specific plans to the community as
the information and guidelines for doing so are published by the Ministry of
Education. As such, the duration of the remote learning program remains
unclear. For some students, the majority of the rest of the school year may be
completed via remote learning.
II. Expectations
A. Leadership Team
The circumstances of the current pandemic require a significant adjustment in
the main manner in which the school delivers on its mission and vision in
service to its families. As such, the Leadership Team holds itself responsible for
the design, implementation, and adjustment of a new learning program that is
faithful to our mission. This includes presenting clear directives for teachers on
how and what material to cover, students on how to engage in learning, and
parents in how to support their children. Central to this responsibility is
adopting a practice of continuous learning informed heavily through the
collection of feedback from all community stakeholders (students, parents,
teachers, staff). The Leadership Team is also accountable for the healthy,
orderly, and responsible transition of the community both into and ultimately
out of the Remote Learning Program.
April 2020 3B. Teachers
Teachers are responsible for the design and implementation of remote
learning at the individual course level, following the established, relevant
curricular content and learning goals. Teachers commit to follow the schedule
communicated by the school. Teachers will communicate the method and
content by which students will be evaluated, including all the timely
publication of assignments and their deadlines. Teachers are responsible for
being easily accessible through email and video calls, responding promptly to
student and parent contact. Teachers will deliver all material promptly through
the appropriate platform. Most importantly, teachers will provide
individualized, timely feedback to students on their work in order to guide
each student’s progress.
C. Students
Students will earnestly engage with all remote learning material in both the
morning program and the afternoon program (where appropriate) with the
goal of understanding the material presented. Students agree to follow the
daily schedule as communicated by the school. Students also endeavor to
engage in the digital community of learners, being present and engaged in
video calls and seeking opportunities to connect with their classmates to
collaborate in their learning. Students commit to complete all tasks or
activities assigned by their teachers and submit all required materials in
accordance with their due dates. Students understand that the work they
submit must still adhere to all academic honesty policies established in the ISC
Student Code of Conduct. Students understand that their remote learning
work and participation will be evaluated and included in their overall grades
for their final report cards.
D. Parents
Parents agree to support their children in their remote learning as much as
possible, with the understanding that they are also balancing their own
professional and personal responsibilities. Parents agree to create a physical
and emotional environment in the home that is conducive to remote learning,
including the provision of all materials detailed in V.A.3. below. Parents agree
to support the school in balancing each student’s daily exposure to screen time
and engagement in physical activity as detailed in III.A. & B. and V.A.2. below.
April 2020 4III. Student Health
A. Screen Time
While the use of technology is a powerful tool for remote learning, excessive
screen time can be extremely detrimental to the health of students. The ISC
course schedule is designed to abide by the recommendations from the IBO
that screen time is consistently limited and does not affect physical activity.
We would like to request that parents recognize that their children’s remote
learning activities will add a substantial volume of screen time to their daily
routine. As a result, other forms of screen time, such as video games, movies,
or tv shows may need to be adjusted in order to maintain a healthy balance of
exposure, especially in younger students.
B. Physical Movement
Physical exercise throughout the day is likewise vital to maintaining student
health. Ideally, every student’s activity would include a minimum of 30
minutes with an elevated heart rate. ISC will provide a daily exercise routine in
which we strongly recommend that all students participate. In addition to this
option, we recommend that students aim to add one outdoor break every
school day.
C. Social Connection
ISC strongly recommends that students proactively connect with their fellow
classmates on an individual basis. Video chats, phone calls, or even remote
collaboration or shared activities and past times can provide a healthy and
welcome connection in a time of social isolation.
D. ISC Counseling and Support
The ISC Primary and Secondary student coordinators as well as the college
guidance counsellor and all other members of the student life team are
available for contact and conversation. We strongly encourage students and
parents to utilize these individuals as resources for working through any
relevant concerns or issues.
IV. Learning Platforms and Tools
A. Google Classroom
Google Classroom is the central learning platform for students in Grades 1-10.
Most, if not all, important educational content will be located centrally in
Google Classroom, including digital materials, assignments, discussions, and
links to live classes. Students in Grades 1-10 are expected to access their
Google Classroom account on a daily basis. All student work product is to be
uploaded to Google Classroom. Assignments submitted via email will not be
counted.
April 2020 5B. ManageBac
ManageBac is a platform used exclusively in the IB Diploma Programme.
Teachers will use this platform to communicate all relevant course material to
their students, including assignments and their due dates. IB students are
expected to access ManageBac daily. Students receive training on how to
access and utilize the platform at the start of their IB studies. Please contact
the IB Coordinator with any difficulties in accessing educational content
through the platform.
C. Google Meet
All recorded and live video sessions will be conducted through Google Meet.
Links to these calls should not be shared outside of the ISC Community. Links
to calls will be posted in either Google Classroom or ManageBac. We ask that
you adhere to the following expectations during video calls:
1. Mute your microphone unless actively speaking
2. Turn on your camera (when a camera is available)
3. Join the call a few minutes early
D. Email
Email will remain an essential communication tool for teachers, students, and
parents. Students of all ages are expected to ensure that they know how to
access their accounts from home and should check their inbox daily.
V. Remote Learning Procedures
A. General
1. Schedule:
In an effort to simplify the complexity of various tasks and themes addressed
in a single school day, only one subject will be addressed per day in Grades 1-
10. This will allow students a chance to access, process, and internalize the
information more easily given the constraints of remote learning. Example
schedules are provided below. IB students will maintain the same weekly
schedule as normal with live video sessions occurring at the normal times for
each course.
Please see the appendix at the end of this document to reference the weekly
timetables.
All remote learning courses in Grades 1-10 will be planned in two-week cycles.
Teachers will communicate to students the material, assignments, and
schedule for each two-week cycle no later than the last day of the current
cycle.
April 2020 62. Balancing Work and Break Times
Maintaining a balance between periods of study and taking a break is vital to
both mental health and sustained productivity throughout the day. We
recommend that students work for no more than 60 minutes at a time before
taking a break. The ISC daily schedule follows this approach.
3. Resources and Materials at Home
a) All students will need access to the following resources at home:
1) A dedicated (not-shared) tablet, laptop, or PC. (Students
may request temporary use of a school-owned iPad if
needed).
2) All supplies listed in the annual school supplies list provided
by the school at the beginning of the year, such as
notebooks, pens, pencils, etc.
3) A dedicated work space free from loud noises, distraction,
or social interactions with other household members.
(Shared work spaces are acceptable, but a “library
atmosphere” should be observed).
b) Special or Uncommon Resources:
1) For projects that require resources or materials not
commonly found at home (especially for afternoon
courses), the school will organize resource packets that can
be picked up from the school at the start of each new
project
2) Printing needs: In the event that parents do not have access
to a printer, they are able to request that the school print
certain documents and can pick them up during business
hours. Please email technik@isceducation.de with printing
requests.
B. Grades 1 - 4
1. Morning
a) Curriculum:
The Primary School morning curriculum will be adjusted in keeping with
the guidelines from the Ministry of Education as they are published and
updated. To begin, we will teach the following courses for the
corresponding periods per week:
1) English (4 periods)
2) German (4 periods)
3) Mathematics (4 periods)
4) Science/Social Studies (4 periods)
April 2020 7b) Attendance, Grading, & Exams
1) Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each period by
way of presence on the scheduled video conference. Students
who join a video call later than 10 minutes after the start of a
period will be considered Tardy for the period. Accumulation of
Tardy arrivals carries the consequences explained in Section
II.1.ii of the Student Code of Conduct.
*ISC recommends that students use a clock or device to set an alarm for the start of
each period as a reminder to join in the session.
2) Grading of completed student work will be done according to
rubrics presented by the teachers to the students. All student
work product is to be uploaded to Google Classroom.
Assignments submitted via email will not be counted unless
otherwise indicated by the teacher.
3) No formal exams will be held before further guidelines are
published by the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of Education.
2. Afternoon
a) Guilds
Guilds will be taught by grade level, and the teacher responsible for
each class will present the project to guild students. Projects will run
roughly in two week cycles.
b) Electives
1) Language Lab
2) Math Boosters
3) Movement
C. Grades 5 - 9
1. Morning
a) Curriculum:
The Secondary School morning curriculum will be adjusted in keeping
with the guidelines from the Ministry of Education as they are
published and updated. To begin, we will teach the following courses
for the corresponding periods per week:
1) English (4 periods)
2) German (4 periods)
3) Mathematics (4 periods)
4) Science (4 periods)
5) Social Studies ((4 periods)
April 2020 8b) Attendance, Grading, & Exams
1) Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each period by
way of presence on the scheduled video conference. Students
who join a video call later than 5 minutes after the start of a
period will be considered Tardy for the period. Accumulation of
Tardy arrivals carries the consequences explained in Section
II.1.ii of the Student Code of Conduct.
2) Grading of completed student work will be done according to
rubrics presented by the teachers to the students. All student
work product is to be uploaded to Google Classroom.
Assignments submitted via email will not be counted unless
otherwise indicated by the teacher.
3) No formal exams will be held before further guidelines are
published by the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of Education.
2. Afternoon
a) Guilds
1) Choice: Students will be given the option to participate in
various Guild Programs with no enrollment limits. Students can
decide to participate in the same guild in which they were
previously enrolled or join a new guild. Students will remain in
their newly chosen guild for the rest of the school year. The list
of Guild options and the registration process and deadline will
be communicated to parents and students by email.
2) Projects: Each guild will decide on a theme for their projects
and engage in a learning cycle of roughly two weeks in
duration.
b) Electives
The following elective courses will take place 1 time per week.
Students will remain enrolled in their current elective.
1) Grades 6-8
a) ISC Yearbook
b) Programming
c) Ceramics
2) Grades 9-10
a) Model UN
b) MSA Prep
April 2020 9D. Grade 10
Grade 10 is in the unique situation of preparing for the Mittlere Schulabschluss
(MSA) taking place between Mid-May and early June. After completion of this
exam, the school year for Grade 10 will be complete, and students are no
longer required to attend school. As such, the learning plan for this Grade is
somewhat different than the rest of the school
1. Morning
The Grade 10 Curriculum mirrors that of Grades 5-9 with one key difference.
Students will receive general instruction in the subjects of German, English,
and Math. They will then receive further instruction in the Sciences and
Humanities in accordance with their chosen Oral Exam topics.
2. Afternoon
Emphasis in the Afternoon Program for Grade 10 will be given to the MSA
Preparation course already in progress. This course will receive additional
hours per week in order to compensate for the lost time earlier in the school
year. Participation in Guilds or elective courses is not expected from Grade 10.
Students may, however, choose to engage in these projects as time allows by
contacting the appropriate teacher.
E. Grade 11 (IB)
1. Curriculum: Courses in Grade 11 will remain in progress without substantial
alteration to the content or pace of the course.
2. Schedule: The weekly schedule for the IB program has changed significantly.
Please note the following changes and adjust your schedules accordingly. The
general schedule can be found in the appendix below. A complete, course-
specific schedule will be sent directly to all students and parents. All sessions
are live via Google Meet and attendance is required.
3. Exams: Procedures for formal exams will be sent home by the IB
Coordinator in advance of any required testing.
VI. Learning Support
A. Access to devices
ISC is committed to providing every student with access to an appropriate
device that can support their remote learning. We anticipate supporting
students primarily through the temporary use of school-owned iPads. Students
are not required to use a school iPad, rather they are a resource if needed.
Parents will pick up the device on behalf of their children. The existing
“Responsible Technology Use Agreement” signed by families upon admission
to the school will serve as the binding agreement under which families assume
liability for damages to the iPads while used at home.
April 2020 10B. Access to internet
Access to a reliable, quality internet connection is a vital resource for
participating in the remote learning program. Students who suffer from
infrequent, unstable, or non-existent internet access are encouraged to
contact the school immediately to discuss possible methods of support.
C. Technical Support
Naturally, with such a heavy reliance on so many digital systems, technology
problems are inevitable. ISC would like to support its students in their
technology needs as much as possible. We would like to request that all
technology-related questions or concerns be directed to:
technik@isceducation.de. Messages related to technology that are sent to
other ISC email accounts, including the school’s “info” account or an individual
teacher’s address will not be answered. We will do our best to answer all
emails within a few business hours. We would like to note that we may not be
able to solve every problem remotely, especially with devices that are not
owned or maintained by the school. In every case, we commit to finding a
solution that allows the student to continue engaging in the necessary
learning.
April 2020 11VII. Appendix
A. Weekly Schedule: Grades 1-10
Period Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Daily Subject
PE 9:00 - 9:30
9:30 - 9:40 Transition
Per 1 9:40 - 10:40
10:40 - 11:00 Break
Per 2 11:00 - 11:45
11:45 - 12:30 Lunch
Per 3 12:30 - 13:15
Per 4 13:15 - 13:45
13:45 - 14:00 Break
PM 14:00 - 15:00
Courses
B. Weekly Schedule: Grade 11 (IB)
Period Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Per 1 8:40 - 9:40
Per 2 9:40 - 10:40
10:40 - 11:00 Break
Per 3 11:00 - 12:00
Per 4 12:00 - 13:00
13:00 - 13:45 Lunch
Per 5 13:45 - 14:45
EE / CAS 14:45 - 15:00
Per 6 15:00 - 16:00
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