Guiding Principles for Digital Learning During COVID19

In these unprecedented times, it is important that all children have the opportunity to continue to engage in learning and to connect with the teachers with whom they have built relationships throughout the school year. We realize that no digital learning plan can replace the personalized learning experience provided by a great teacher in a classroom, and that many of our learners and educators are not accustomed to digital learning. Digital learning is new for most of us and we have designed this plan with these factors and several guiding principles in mind.

  • The District is committed to principles of equitable access for all children, and to this end, is working to build capacity through technology, training, and supplemental resources for our students with special learning needs in mind.

  • This plan is intended to reinforce prior learning and enrichment activities for students and introduce new learning to students. Students will receive feedback, encouragement, and guidance for review and enrichment activities.

  • Planned instruction will require progress monitoring and assessment of new learning.

Digital learning structures (Google Classroom) will provide opportunities for children to practice their academic skills. We understand that this is a stressful time for many of us, therefore we have worked to ensure that these structures do not contribute to stress for students, families, educators, and leaders.

This content should reinforce skills, provide enrichment opportunities and integrate new content as appropriate. Schools that currently implement a digital learning protocol may continue with reasonable expectations for work completion given the current context.

Training will be provided for all staff, if needed, via virtual training sessions and students and families via online tutorials or PSTV to support the use of Google Classroom and other Google tools utilized.

Digital resources will be provided for teachers to utilize while making accommodations to support all of the students they serve. School leadership teams and teachers may also create or utilize their own content for review and enrichment activities or planned instruction.

We appreciate everyone’s flexibility during this time. We understand that this type of learning may be new for our students, families and educators, and we want to ensure that all of our school communities feel supported as we implement this plan. Our goal is to ensure that all students have access to the resources they need as we all navigate the rest of the 2019-2020 school year.

Office of Strategic Partnerships Resources

Visit the Office of Strategic Partnerships' Supplemental Learning Resources page for additional enrichment activities and opportunities offered to teachers, students and families. Supplemental learning resources are offered by partner organizations throughout the city to enhance student learning and teaching.