ASA has joined an initiative of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) on Blended Learning.
ASA Working Definition:
Blended learning is an educational approach that facilitates a dynamic classroom by providing opportunities for student empowerment and choice over the time, place, path, and/or pace of their learning. Students use a variety of tools including digital and print media as well as online and face-to-face interactions to achieve learning goals. Teachers provide an engaging and personalized learning experience through an integrated learning environment that allows them to monitor student progress and individualize formative feedback.
The role of blended learning at ASA:
To promote personalization, agency, authentic audience, connectivity and creativity, as well as purposeful use of technology in teaching and learning
Continuing education in case of school closure
Online spaces available to parents:
ManageBac - This is the agreed-upon online system for providing basic information to students and parents. Class spaces here will contain links to additional online learning spaces for the various classes. Parents will receive logins to this system, and instruction on how to use it and interpret the data available to them in the system. Secondary students have logins, and will use the site for a range of purposes in their day-to-day learning.
For 2023, Elementary School parents will be able to access summary information about PYP units of inquiry, as well as report cards at the end of each semester.
For 2023, Middle and High School parents will be able to stay informed about upcoming major assessments for their children, see feedback on assignments against subject assessment criteria, and access report cards at the end of each semester, see summary information about MYP/DP units and learning resources shared with students.
Seesaw - Elementary School homeroom and single-subject teachers Pre-K - 5 will use the Seesaw platform as the primary online presence for communicating with parents and students. This will access evidence of your child’s classroom learning experiences and select work samples. Additionally, grade 3-5 homeroom and single-subject teachers will use Seesaw to post information related to homework and assignments, learning materials for absent students, and students will be actively managing their Seesaw profile to document their learning.
Parent responsibilities:
Elementary School parents are expected to keep up-to-date with Seesaw.
Secondary School parents are expected to log into ManageBac to stay informed about ongoing assessments.
All parents are expected to read the Friday email newsletter
In the case of an emergency school closure we will activate our Educational Continuance Plan, and additional information will be shared outlining responsibilities for school, teachers, parents and students. Access to wifi at home is essential, especially in the case of an emergency school closure.