Next distance learning day is Monday at TVHS
01.22.10
A third remote/distance learning day will be conducted Monday at Tech Valley High School, with students once again staying home to learn.
Through the pilot program, students will log into the school's web portals from their homes and or community libraries.
The innovative regional public high school has previosuly allowed students to stay home on December 15 and November 3, with the students taking classes online from teachers who “manned” their portals and WebPages at the school.
The remote/distance learning days provide an opportunity for teachers to take part in staff development opportunities, while also providing students with an opportunity to show they are self-directed and can manage a certain amount of freedom while still completing assignments and lessons.
During the remote days, students log-on to the TVHS portal at 8 a.m. and review their class calendars. The teachers are available in real-time for questions and clarification from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Teachers are also available via email until 3 p.m. Students are expected to follow the time requirements posted to the calendars and post individual work in a timely manner.
The decision to launch the pilot distance learning program this year was made after conducting focus groups and researching effective models last year, said Principal Dan Liebert.
As schools across the country are challenged to be more fiscally and environmentally responsible, TVHS is accomplishing both with these days.
Liebert said remote working is nothing new in the ‘real world’ as employers struggle to reduce travel and travel fatigue for their employees, as well as create flexible work environments. By conducting periodic distance learning days, TVHS hopes to teach students the importance of self-direction – a key 21st century skill. It will additionally allow TVHS teachers an opportunity for personal growth as they use the time when they are away from their computers and students for in-service training.
"We had outstanding results in biotechnology with 31 of 33 students completing all assigned work with good quality. We have some bugs to work out in the system, but the distance learning concept shows promise," said teacher Leah Penniman of the November 3 remote day.
Future remote or distance learning days are scheduled for:
• Friday, March 26
• Friday, May 21
