Online Fatigue for HS...why only for HS?

[paoloparon]

Dear ICS,

Happy New Year first of all, and thanks for taking the decision to extend the online learning for one additional week. This makes a lot of sense to me to stay safer, even if it adds a bit of a burden on the families.

In the last ICS Weekly, in the HS page you announced that:

Please note that for the high school division, online classes will be on an amended schedule for both Thursday (14 January) and Friday (15 January) only. Blended learning will continue as per semester one. We would like to offer students greater flexibility for personalized work routines to reduce online learning fatigue as we commence semester two. 

Can I ask you why do you think that MS, ES and EY are not suffering from online learning fatigue? 

I would expect that the younger students are suffering more from online fatigue than the oldest ones.

And could you explain to us what are the personalized work routines that should happen with two half days of school?

On the other hand I am wondering how these short days will impact on the overall education time that our kids are exposed to: I am sure you did your math but it would be nice to share that with us parents too, as I don't see these short days in the school calendar.

Thanks and Best regards,

Paolo

[ICS Comms]

Thanks Paolo for your email and THANKS for reading the Weekly!

Firstly, these are not shortened days for and no, there will be no overall educational deficit for HS students.  HS Students have assignments to finish, projects to work on that have been assigned for the afternoons. 

While online fatigue is possible, we try to mitigate how long there is synchronistic online learning for the younger students.

For HS students specifically: Students are being given less screen time demands for this Th/F.  The goal is for targeted synchronous discussions and a flipped classroom model whereby students can choose to conduct the application of their learning (ex. practical work- composition of text, art work, math problem sets, design scaffolding etc.. ) at their own pace and at a time that suits them to allow for greater engagement and balance that often is not being managed well by teenagers.  Homogeneous pacing of 'synchronous' lessons that involves strong content instruction is draining for students in the high school division in particular, where the breadth and depth of content increases by year level.  When students are given a blended learning focus and room for personalized pacing, the synchronous meetings for 1:1 and small group chats are more effective. 

For MS Students: While some part of their classes are synchronistic, it is for a 10-15 minute lesson and then they are released to do the work and then they come back at the end of class for a check in. 

For ES/EY - they have a completely different schedule that is not synchronistic for the full day either.  They have short check ins throughout the day.

I hope that answers your questions.  If you have further concerns with HS, I highly recommend that your reach out to the Principals Kristine Greenlaw or Jim Heister.

Best,

[paoloparon]

Hi,

Thanks for the very exhaustive answer.

Best regards,

Paolo