lulublue22 wrote: » If its some form of blended learning ie half in / out with online no problem. But if is 100% online then no - as I would have no one to support my own children’s access to education. I doubt I’m the only teacher in that situation. I provided a very high level of online learning including support via phone , online platform and email to parents / children. All work set was corrected and I was online every day to answer any questions / deal with any issues. All work I did and every communication with parents was logged and forwarded to the BOM. If it’s online only then I would expect to wfh.
wirelessdude01 wrote: » Or they are going on a solo run based on what they 'think'.
mirrorwall14 wrote: » Hang on, what guidance were you given? What document were you working off?
Lillyfae wrote: » Fantastic, well done you and your school. I know interpretation is annoying but from the Department's perspective there has to be room for this because all the settings are so different. I have a little bit of experience in this and in my opinion a one size fits all approach would be impossible so this would be unavoidable. I wonder if all schools are preparing in this way. As a matter of interest, what kind of resources are you lacking at your school? Has funding been requested for anything?
downthemiddle wrote: » They clearly know something nobody else knows.
Redordeadqwwer wrote: » Management have told us we will be in the school for the school day when we are back. Whether there's full attendance, half attendance, or none, they don't know yet. But we will be in teaching away.
Sammy2012 wrote: » I havent spoken to my principal since the day we got our holidays either. They left word with the deputy that it was up to them and the staff to have the school ready for reopening at the end of August. They were having nothing to do with it. I am appalled by the attitude and it's not good enough but what can the staff do only get on with planning as they want to have a safe environment for themselves and the children in their care.
Lillyfae wrote: » Just in the last hour 2 teachers here have said that there's planning happening in their schools and they've been kept informed. If your principal isn't doing the same that's on them and the BoM. Individual schools will have to implement some measures themselves, based on guidelines/interim guidelines, led by management of course.
wirelessdude01 wrote: » In my previous life before I retained I worked on project management and consulting and no way would a client be presented with something unless we were happy we complied with the relevant regulations. We don't have those yet.
mcsean2163 wrote: » I want my children to have an education AND I want to go back to work. If it's the same as lockdown, I won't be able to go back to work. Not only that but I believe it would be an idea to try and get a group of parents to work together to ensure that children get reasonable social interaction and possibly organise homework clubs if the schools will not be providing schooling again. I think there is a bit of underestimation here by some of how important school is in our society and to our children. Peace out.
wirelessdude01 wrote: » So far my school hasn't contacted me since the summer holidays began so not quite sure what you want them to be contacting you for and with what information? We don't know anything. There isn't a secret file that is being kept from parents or indeed anyone. Trust me teachers require the plan even more than parents otherwise the start of the school year is going to be an absolute mess.
Lillyfae wrote: » Great, so we have a clear rule now on what your definition of what blended learning is and we can't stray from that in any way shape or form. Better phone up Michael D and tell him to give the Gardaí extra powers to make sure that no child is learning anything outside of your framework.
Boggles wrote: » In terms of this global pandemic and what other schools are doing in the world? The class room will be run as normal but also "broadcast online", the kids who can't come in will be taught virtually and the ones that can will attend for 2-3 days at a time. The teachers will be able to interact with the kids virtually as if they were sitting in the classroom. It's the model New York are following. It won't happen here though for obvious reasons.
mcsean2163 wrote: » My question: how do you define blended learning?
mcsean2163 wrote: » I know in the UK parents go in and assist the teachers doing tasks for them on a voluntary basis (before covid19). It seems to work really well and no reason it can't work here. If the law needs to change on insurance it should change.
mcsean2163 wrote: » There is one poster in particular here who is very active and has a strong cannot do attitude. Personally, I would like the teachers to know that there are many parents willing to support them and would appreciate guidance. I would love to see the following: 1. A plan If we saw the plan maybe parents could feature in it, for instance if teachers are not able to mix with children, perhaps parents could get vetted and take the kids to the playground for a hour once a day. So far the school has not contacted parents at all There's so many things that could be done now.
Boggles wrote: » I don't have a classroom. Very little of that makes sense, have you an actual question? Are you okay?
BonsaiKitten wrote: » Yep, I know what the plan is. We got an email with key points based on the principals reading of the draft guidance and an anonymous survey to share our thoughts (I guess the principal thought people might speak more freely anonymously). Once the final plans are released, there is a small group set up to work on the final document (which I'm on) and then everyone will have a Zoom staff meeting to go through it together. We can iron out any problems then. The parents have seen none of this and nor will they until the final regulations are published. We are working off the plans that we have now but until the Department rubber stamp their own plans, we won't be rubber stamping any plans of our own. I think that's a much more responsible take on it than releasing the plans now and potentially having to row back on them in future.
mcsean2163 wrote: » I'm using the Wikipedia definition which is vague as blended encompasses a lot of learning modes. [url]hTtps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blended_learning#:~:text=Blended learning is an approach,place, path, or pace[/url]. Perhaps you could explain your version as it appears only you understand what you are talking about, a sad outcome I expect for any teacher.I could imagine your classroom, 'what you don't understand what I just said?'. 'If you don't understand what I mean by an undefined subjective term, then I am most certainly not going to explain it to you! Now, gangal goolie boodi, banjo 5. You should recall the definition of these words I invented last month and I expect the homework complete and on my table and self corrected in zeeble* minutes' *Zeeble is 5 plus a beeble.
Lillyfae wrote: » The DoE won't say that, because that puts the liability on them to make it happen. The school can only work off the guidelines they have, and there are only 5 weeks left to go. If the school is happy to publish, let them publish. I'm sure the parents and children appreciate knowing what their next school term might look like. Your principal has done "some work" but do you know what? Are other staff members involved? Do you feel like the principal should at least let you know what they're doing?
Boggles wrote: » Again, like I said and this post again proves it, some people have absolutely no idea what blended learning means.
BonsaiKitten wrote: » Whatever plans the school publish have to be in line with the Department rules - you don't see the problem here? If the Department say that every child must be in school 5 days a week and the school have done a solo run declaring they'll have them in half the week, that's a problem.
BonsaiKitten wrote: » As I said, schools should be assessing what may be possible for them based on the draft guidelines. That's common sense, I know that my principal has done some work on it already. They should not be publishing any of this to parents before the Department issue their full guidance. Most likely the advice won't change all that much but we can't guarantee that, so we should wait until we know for sure.
Lillyfae wrote: » I don't follow. If the schools are happy with their plan let them publish away. Schools know their parents best, and it's possible that this is the reassurance that they need. I really don't see how their pro-activeness can be seen as a bad thing here. There is guidance available, and chances are it won't change that much if at all. Like I said, schools need to be under pressure because they need to interpret within the context of their own settings. Nobody said pandemic proofing was going to be relaxing!!
