Monday, April 13, 2020

Here are some common questions about remote learning from my students.

Question: What is remote learning? How is it different than what we've been doing?

Answer: Remote learning means that everything will now be done online since schools are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. In many ways remote learning is similar to what we have been doing. The basis of your remote learning will take place from your Google Classroom pages. However, rather than just posting an assignment, remote learning will be more interactive. We will have Google Meets, use Google Chats and rely on other technology to ensure that you continue your education until our school building reopens.

Question: What’s the point of remote learning?

Answer: The point of remote learning is to ensure that students are still learning. The coronavirus pandemic has basically shut down the U.S., but we don't want you to stop learning just because schools are closed. It is also a great opportunity to develop habits like staying on top of your work, being organized and incorporating more technology into your education.

Question: Is remote learning going to be the same thing (like we will just do our work that you post for us) or will we use Google Meet? Will we be using Google Chat? Will we be using calls to communicate? Are we going to have to go in a video call like Zoom?


Answer: I am hoping to use Google Meet at least once a week, probably on Thursdays. I will have more information on this in the coming days. Google Meet is basically like a Facetime call where we will be able to see and talk to each other. We will also use Google Chat so that you can ask questions of me while you are working on materials. We will also utilize live streams for lessons and other tools. We will start slowly and build our way up from there.

Question: Are the teachers going to give us a link if we are going to do like a Facetime (i.e., Google Meet) call? Do we need a code to join a chat in Google Meet?

Answer: Yes, I will provide the links and codes for any interactive remote learning that we do. These links will be posted on our ELA Google classroom pages.

Question: Are we going to have to be doing classes at certain times?

Answer: Our admin has provided a schedule for how you should work each day. CPS expects students to be learning at least 3.5 hours a day from 9-12:30. You don't have to follow the schedule minute by minute, but it is suggested. It is a good model to follow for the time being. Here is what the schedule looks like daily:

9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. - Social Emotional Learning
9:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. - Independent Reading
9:30-10:00 a.m. - ELA
10:00-10:30 - Math
10:30-10:45 - Movement Activities
10:45-11:15 - Science
11:15-11:45 - Social Studies
11:45-12:15 - Exploratory
12:15 - 12:30 - Afternoon Journal: What is something new I learned today? What are my goals for tomorrow? Email one of your teachers with any questions you have about today’s activities.

Question: Is remote learning just classwork or homework too?

Answer: It is a combination of classwork and homework. Whatever I assign for you to do during the 9:30-10:00 block, you should consider classwork. Whatever you don't finish should be finished by the due date.

Question: What if you oversleep and miss the schedule? What happens if you don't wake up soon enough for the schedule?

Answer: If you oversleep every once and a while, that is okay. The schedule is suggested and good to follow. Basically, CPS wants you guys and girls doing at least 3.5 hours a day of remote learning. You could do it in the afternoon if you want, but notice that you are getting about 30 minutes a day from each class. If you oversleep the info will always be on Google Classroom. The same goes for any live streams or Google Meets, which will be recorded and posted on Google Classroom for you to watch later. It is best to get started on the work sooner rather than later.

Question: Is remote learning going to be live or a video?

Answer: The remote learning will vary. Some will be recorded, some will be live streamed and recorded, which means that if you miss it, you can watch it later.

Question: Where do we turn in our work?

Answer: You will submit all work (forms, slides, etc.) through Google Classroom. There is a submit button in the upper right hand corner when you are done. Simply click the button when you are done, and your work will be submitted to me. 

Question: I am having problems downloading video. What should I do?

Answer: Here are a few suggestions to click. Click on the video at the bottom of the Google Classroom post. This will open a new page. At the top right of the page, there should be a button that looks like a downward arrow. Scroll over that. It should say download. Click on that. It might say Google Drive can't scan for viruses. Click Download Anyway. You can then try to Open It or Download.

Another option is to click on the three dots in the upper right hand corner that say Open in a New Window. It may then allow you to download. Let me know if this works. If not, I will try to figure out some new ways to do this.
 
Question: What is the best way to stay on top of my remote learning?

Answer: Make sure that you are checking your email daily, especially in the morning. Go to your Google Classroom pages and follow your teacher's posts or videos. Try to follow the schedule provided by HMS and CPS.

Question: Will our remote learning count as grades?

Answer: Yes! I will be tracking that people are completing their remote learning and entering into ASPEN.

Question: If we go back to school, what will happen to the work you are behind on?

Answer: Good question. If you got behind prior to spring break, I would focus on the work that begins today (Monday, April 13th) and try your best to stay on schedule. If you are behind in our book The Crossroads, you can catch up by reading and listening to it.

Question: Will independent reading be part of our remote learning?

Answer: Of course! Our schedule has 15 minutes of independent reading built in from 9:15 to 9:30 a.m., but I suggest reading for at least 30 minutes a day. We will use this time to finish reading The Crossroads!

Question: How will Mr. Maynard be informing us of our remote learning?

Answer: I will be recording a daily video each morning and posting what we will be learning/working on the ELA Periods 1, 2, 3 and 4 Google Classroom pages by 9:00 a.m. each morning. The same goes for any links/codes to our interactive lessons through Google Meet, Google Chat and Google Live Streams.

Question: What should I do if I don't have my own device for remote learning?

Answer: HMS administration and teachers will be passing out Chromebooks for students who need them on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9-11 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m. of this week. Simply go to school with a parent to sign out a Chromebook that you can use for your remote learning.

I hope these answers help. All of this is new to us so let's give an honest effort, work hard, and try our best. I am here to help out in any way possible.

Thanks and talk to you later!

Sincerely,

Mr. Maynard :-)