Online Learning Update
22nd January 21
As we conclude our third week of remote learning, we hope that everyone is now settling into this new way of working. This term we have been delivering live lessons using Microsoft Teams and we have received a great deal of positive feedback from students and teachers alike.
Teachers have demonstrated new and engaging ways to deliver lessons using remote presentations, breakout rooms for group study and praise, to reward and celebrate student engagement and effort. Students are also able to use the Canvas virtual learning environment to access a wealth of subject specific resources and assessment activities.
This week many students have undertaken milestone tests and our distance assessment methods have proved to be robust. If students are having difficulties accessing lessons or resources, due to their location overseas, we are committed to ensuring they are sent materials and communicated with regularly. Anyone can access IT support by emailing dld-itsupport@dld.org. We are very fortunate to have a Learning Technologist who can provide our students with one-to-one IT support and training. Our Digital Innovators are also preparing materials for Safer Internet Day, which is on the 9th February, to help keep our students safe as they study remotely.
As we work towards mock exams, it is important that all students feel supported and that we can maintain the highest academic standards and integrity. We will ensure that mock exams and final assessments will be made available to all students, regardless of their circumstances. We have chosen to postpone mock examinations until after the February half term and we will assess the circumstances around these assessments closer to this time. We will contact you to confirm the arrangements for these tests. We will also contact you as soon as we receive the outcome from the open consultation on awarding grades in the Summer from the DfE and Ofqual.
We continue to offer all students unique learning opportunities remotely via our student dashboard (student.dld.org). Our remote learning hub contains information on a variety of topics including digital skills training, Ted Talks, recommended reading, and book clubs. We have recently curated a list of subject specific online courses that students can elect to study. These will be of particular interest to our Year 12 students as a way of elevating their University applications next year. We will also have the DLD College Annual Essay Writing Competition, which will be offered to all students in the Spring.
We are keen to hear your views on remote learning and all our students will be invited to complete a learner survey from the 1st February. We hope to welcome back all students at the start of the summer term to further develop and enhance their academic skills and work collaboratively with their peers and teachers.
John Branney, Assistant Principal (Teaching & Learning)
A selection of photos of classes in action this week featured below.
