As you know, YRDSB continues to explore different opportunities to learn from home, connecting students and teachers through technology with the safety and well-being of students in mind. With the Ministry of Education having extended the duration of the school closure, there is an opportunity for staff to offer synchronous “real time” live support to students, in addition to the asynchronous online learning environment currently provided.
- Asynchronous refers to activities that are not happening simultaneously or in “real time”.
- Synchronous refers to activities that are happening simultaneously or in “real time”.
As usual, I will continue to post learning activities for our class in our online learning platform each week. I will also identify “real time” synchronous activities that may involve two-way audio/video conferencing. This will offer an opportunity for students to engage with each other and with me in one-on-one, small/large groups or whole class.
When these synchronous activities occur, I will provide information as to the day, time, and login instructions.
By students participating in “real time” synchronous teaching and learning, students and families are agreeing to the following responsibilities:
- YRDSB Appropriate Use of Technology Policy and Procedures will apply to all learning at home activities.
- Rules of conduct and behaviour for the regular classroom also apply to the virtual classroom.
- Appropriate student dress is required as applicable at school.
- Parents/guardians should be mindful of family activities that would potentially be heard/seen during the students’ use of audio/video conferencing.
- Students/parents/guardians, shall not take photos, screenshots, record any video, or audio, from these conference sessions. No aspect of a Google Meet session will be posted to any social media sites or through any medium.
Please note that participation in the “realtime” synchronous teaching and learning activities is not mandatory.
If a student is not able to participate in synchronous support, an alternative arrangement is made to ensure each student has access to the learning.
Further, students may choose to participate in some synchronous activities and not others, or decide only to participate asynchronously. If at any time you have questions about the synchronous activities, please connect with me via email.
I look forward to this next chapter in our online learning journey,
Mr. Vryonides
