They are also unable to attend school.<\/p>\n
As many parents have expressed their concern about their children\u2019s education and them missing out on lessons, some teachers and schools are using online resources to continue teaching.<\/p>
The GCN talked to Sacred Heart College, one of the schools that has been conducting online learning from before the lockdown started.<\/p>\n
Sacred Heart College\u2019s head of college and principal Heather Blanckensee said they are proud of how parents, teachers and learners have come together during this difficult time to ensure that learning continues.<\/p>\n
She said it was not difficult for learners to adapt to the new way of learning because the school had started with online education in 2012.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are privileged that we have been able to continue learning. We are using a combination of WhatsApp, Seesaw, Microsoft Team, Google Classroom and even a radio show for our refugee programme.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are able to build on our existing platforms that were used at the school,\u201d Blanckensee said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 2012 our pre-primary school explored the use of iPads in the classroom and in 2013 all our Grade Sevens became part of an iPad project.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis meant that the transition to online learning in Grades Four to 12 was less difficult and instead of the iPad supporting the delivery of the curriculum, it has become the primary tool. Teachers also use Google Meet to engage face to face with learners.<\/p>\n
\u201cParents\u2019 WhatsApp groups in addition provide support and alert us to concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn this way we have been able to meet our commitment to deliver the curriculum, maintain connections and build our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said they are happy that their learners are able to continue learning, but it can be a challenge to others.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt its best, online learning gives learners access to resources that they may not otherwise have access to. It is an excellent way of supplementing classroom-based learning.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt also allows children who are unable to attend school due to illness to feel part of the school environment. It encourages independence and ownership of learning,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPerseverance and resilience are also important skills that are developed by online learning.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnline learning assumes access of all students to resources so at its worst it creates a significant divide between those who have access and those who do not. It perpetuates the inequalities inherent in our society.\u201d<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/p>\n
Portfolio committee of Basic Education advises learners to keep studying<\/a><\/p>\n Giving school shoes to learners in need<\/a><\/p>\n The GCN asked if learners are responsible and logging in every day for their lessons.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are very happy with the way in which children are logging on.<\/p>\n \u201cParents inform us of connectivity issues and power outages or anything that may impact on their child\u2019s learning that day.<\/p>\n \u201cOur teachers all post a register question at the beginning of the class which allows them to assess who is not online.<\/p>\n \u201cOur grade coordinators and deputy principal then follows up,\u201d said Blanckensee.<\/p>\n Like everything that is new, online does have challenges.<\/p>\n Blanckensee said not everyone can afford WiFi and data.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are providing data to those learners and teachers who struggle. We are also finding alternate ways to assess learners\u2019 work that is reliable and reflects the learners\u2019 engagement and learning.<\/p>\n \u201cAnother significant challenge is providing the emotional and social support that learners get at school from their teachers and peers,\u201d said Blanckensee.<\/p>\n She said other normal extra curricular activities are on hold and that has an impact on the learners.<\/p>\n \u201cThe school has also put in place platforms where learners can get help, for example our online pastoral care response.<\/p>\n \u201cThis aids in mediating the disappointment of learners and helping them manage loss. Consider for example the matrics who have seen their matric rites of passage, like the matric dance which is moved or cancelled,\u201d said Blanckensee.<\/p>\n Sacred Heart College Grade Four teacher Gabriella de Souza also shared her challenges of teaching online and how she had to restructure and change how she prepares for lessons.<\/p>\n \u201cOnline teaching and learning has changed my lesson preparations in a number of ways.<\/p>\n \u201cLessons now have to be presented virtually and this has required much more preparation than any lesson I have taught in the classroom. Lessons need to be more interactive and fun.<\/p>\n \u201cTherefore, I have had to recreate all of my worksheets in a way that each student can access and edit it online,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cEach of these worksheets has to be accompanied by videos, Power Point presentations and voice recordings so that each learner is able to work independently and know what is expected of them with minimal help from parents.\u201d<\/p>\n Online may not be easy for everyone as some learners still need to adjust.<\/p>\n De Souza said no learner is left behind, hence they have put a number of strategies in place to assist learners who are struggling.<\/p>\n \u201cA number of strategies have been put in place to assist learners who are struggling with aspects of our curriculum.<\/p>\n \u201cThankfully, we are able to schedule one-on-one meetings with our learners where we are able to go through the work with them via Google Meet or Whatsapp video or voice calls.<\/p>\n \u201cI try to check in with each of my learners every two to three days to see if they are coping with the work.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are also able to contact me throughout the day with any questions or help they may need,\u201d said de Souza.<\/p>\n The GCN asked her what challenges she has experienced.<\/p>\n \u201cThe biggest challenge was getting each one of my learners connected. Many households have one device which is being used by parents for work or older siblings for schooling.<\/p>\n \u201cThankfully with Google Classroom being accessible from many devices, we were able to connect each and every learner,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, many learners are only able to access these devices in the evenings or over weekends to complete their work.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have had to therefore adjust submission dates for assignments to accommodate each family and their different needs.<\/p>\n \u201cAnother challenge we are facing is assessing the learners in a way that is most accurate.”<\/p>\n Grade R teacher Heidrun O\u2019Shea said her work has also presented different types of challenges.<\/p>\n \u201cMy lesson preparation has changed completely. As a Grade R teacher all my communication is via the parents.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery morning I send suggestions for what parents can do with their children,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey consist of math literacy, fine motor skills and extra fun things the children can do.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is plenty of technology one can use, but you have to consider what parents can access before planning lessons.”<\/p>\n O\u2019Shea said her challenge is not her learners but parents.<\/p>\n \u201cMy challenge is that some parents are teaching the wrong things.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are not following the instructions given and that is a challenge for the children because they rely on them to give them the instructions. But I always find ways to correct them.<\/p>\n \u201cAlso the teaching of the letters of the alphabet needs to be done phonetically, and I don’t know if parents are really doing it correctly,\u201d said O\u2019Shea.<\/p>\n Learner Zo\u00eb Nkabane said they had to adjust to the new way of learning.<\/p>\n Zo\u00eb said she misses being in class and interacting with her classmates.<\/p>\n \u201cOnline learning is okay, I just go with the flow. I miss seeing my teachers and the class engagement,\u201d said Zo\u00eb.<\/p>\n She said it\u2019s not all bad and there are advantages to it.<\/p>\n \u201cI like the fact that I can work at my own pace. I discipline myself when it comes to finishing my work by just doing it,\u201d said Zo\u00eb.<\/p>\n Her mother Palesa said it has been interesting for her as a parent, but it has also been challenging for the children to adjust to the change.<\/p>\n \u201cI let her do her work by herself and I\u2019m just there when she needs help. I will call the teacher when she needs assistance.<\/p>\n \u201cI also encourage her to adopt a plan to get through her work, but I think she performs better with the teacher because they are able to stretch them within curriculum boundaries,\u201d said Palesa.<\/p>\n She said they are grateful as parents that their children can continue with school.<\/p>\n \u201cOnline learning does work and it\u2019s possible. But the social connection is sadly missing,\u201d said Palesa.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n * Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Dear reader,<\/em><\/p>\n As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as \u201cfake news\u201d) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.<\/em><\/p>\n Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za<\/a>) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za<\/a>).<\/em><\/p>\n \n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za,<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist)\u00a0busiv@caxton.co.za.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Also follow us on:<\/p>\n
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