Education Ministry assessing if students have the tools to access online classrooms from home
The Ministry of Education will be conducting a territory-wide evaluation to determine how well students will be able to access online classroom platforms while schools remain closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
While stating that the evaluation comes in the form of a survey that parents are required to complete, the Education Ministry said online classrooms will require that teachers and students have access to an appropriate electronic device and internet to gather schooling-related information.
“We are gathering information for our continuity of education plan and we are trying to get a better sense of remote learning access for parents and teachers in the event that we have to make further changes for the new school term,” Permanent Secretary for the Education Ministry, Carolyn Stoutt Igwe said.
Parents who have not yet completed the survey are invited to do so by clicking here.
Educators currently being trained in online learning platforms
As reported in a previous BVI News publication, the Education Ministry has begun training in both private and public schools in a number of online learning platforms.
These include Cisco Webex, CXC Notemaster, Flow Study, Google Classroom and Class Dojo.
“Training in the use of the Cisco Webex platform, an online platform that can engage teachers and students with interactive classes, online lectures, vocational training, tutoring, and group projects is also taking place,” the ministry stated.
It further said: “This platform, working in tandem with Google Classroom, will stimulate learning and group collaboration through virtual breakout sessions and evaluate class effectiveness with integrated testing, polling, and reports.”
Barring no further disruptions, the final projected date for COVID-19 school closures is April 19.
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Perhaps after the virus has passed the crooked politicians can make the telecom providers provide quality internet rather than the third world system they provide now. Just remember the government issues these companies a license to provide service and that license can be revoked. Stop settling for substandard because your politicians have their hands in the telecoms pockets
I’m sorry but after the hurricanes this should have been done. Have a continuity plan in place for the students. I give props to Cedar School who is leading in this aspect. The students were already using technology in the classroom and so the transition to full time online learning during this time was seamless. I appreciate them (teachers, staff, principal) for their forward thinking approach. The public education system has a lot to do. There are so many platforms existing out there, but for some reason we are lagging behind acting as if we haven’t been exposed to the internet for years. Shake up the education system and be innovative! Those existing statues who are in charge and who’ve been there in the system for years and years taking up space and who refuse to adapt to change to meet the needs of students need to GO! That’s the problem when you have young, innovative minds who want to breathe fresh air into the system and they are always shot down. They get discouraged and conform to the archaic status quo or leave. It’s sickening! Stop being reactive and be proactive for a change.
I totally agree with you but to have the students carry on with online classes the internet needs to be world class. In the Territory the internet is mediocre at best. The internet quality throughout the Territory needs to be a number one priority when the pandemic passes. It has become as essential as food.
And I agree with you. The internet issues should be drastically improved. We pay so much for poor service. Whatever the problem is I hope they identify it and fix it to facilitate business and educational needs.
During Myron tenure as Minister of Education , he gave every junior student chrome book at ESHS . All teachers in the junior school were given training . Some teachers hardly used them . Then they were issued to Seniors teachers . Give jack his jacket . It is some of the teachers who were not implementing then . Every teacher was given the tool in ESHS to use . All you too bias .
not all students learn in any environment