The 2020-21 school year will begin in less than two months, and parents will have to decide on the teaching and learning design they want for their child. HISD wants to arm its parents with good information to help them make the right educational decision for their child. Distance learning comes with opportunities and challenges. Found below are some characteristics of successful distance learners:
Successful distance learners:
1. Have a great deal of self-discipline. The HISD model of distance learning will require virtual students to be engaged online from 7:30am-3:45 pm. During this time, traditional and virtual students will be engaged in lessons, assessments, and interventions. Students with a lack of self-discipline could find themselves losing credit for coursework due to poor grades on assessments or not meeting the attendance requirements set forth by the state. Organizational and time management skills will be very important.
2. Are intrinsically motivated. Studies conducted regarding the online learner and characteristics shared by successful distance learners indicate students with a high degree of self-motivating behaviors (positive attitude, goal-oriented, high expectations for grades/certification completion, perseverance, flexibility etc.) are far more likely to find success in a virtual environment.
3. Have a strong work ethic. Online learning for HISD students will be far more rigorous than it was in the spring. Distance learners will be held to the same academic standards as traditional students. All summative assessments (curriculum based assessments, unit exams, etc.) will be administered at HISD on Saturdays, and distance learners are encouraged to attend. Also, students not showing proficiency on skills will be expected to attend Saturdays for academic recovery and interventions.
4. Have reliable Internet connectivity. HISD will be issuing devices for school use to all students at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year. HISD invites all distance learning students to use WIFI at McMullen Library or district campus parking lots if their home connectivity is sub-par. Students without good connectivity at home will need transportation to access school WiFi each day.
5. Have strong parental support. Parents choosing distance learning for their child are choosing and accepting a larger responsibility for the academic success of their children. The Texas Education Agency has not waived state testing for the 2020-21 school year. Students that are distance learners will need their parents to provide the emotional supports they would otherwise get in a traditional school setting. Also, the age of the child will need to be an important consideration for parents considering distance learning. Younger children will need far more assistance and help from parents for successful home-learning to occur.
6. Understand and accept the obstacles to distance learning. The American Academy of Pediatrics “strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students present in school.” These recommendations are based on the following realities:
· The preponderance of evidence indicates that children and adolescents are less likely to be symptomatic and less likely to have severe disease resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
· The documented importance of in-person learning to the academic, social, and emotional growth of children.
· The support services resources (counseling, food services, library, nurses etc) available at school may not be available at home.
· An increased risk of morbidity in children in distance learning environment due to:
· Substance abuse
· Depression
· Suicidal ideation
· Learning deficits
· Physical or sexual abuse
Information provided in this document was gleaned from the linked articles below. Please visit the following links for more information as you prepare to make the best educational decision for your child:
https://www.uis.edu/ion/resources/tutorials/pedagogy/successful-online-student/
https://www.fairmontstate.edu/academics/distancelearning/successful-student
http://academic.son.wisc.edu/wistrec/archive/OnlineLearning/Characteristics.htm
https://www.uis.edu/ion/resources/tutorials/pedagogy/successful-online-student/
The HISD election period for parents to select their preferred mode of learning (traditional or distance) will be from July 23-August 6, 2020.