The debate about whether or not snow days will be ending isn't over. While some people feel upset by the idea of snow day, others believe they are a valuable tradition that should be kept. This article will examine the effects of snow days on low-income families as well as the cost of moving to remote learning.
New York City's plan to abandon snow days
New York City Department of Education is changing its policy and will no longer allow students to remain home during snow days. Instead, they will offer online learning and virtual classes. The change will take effect in the 2021-22 school year. The plan is not without its challenges. Storms could affect the city's power supply. Some schools may lose Internet access.
The decision was criticized across the country as a drastic measure. In the past, snow days meant late sleeps and playing in the snow. However, snowdays are expected to be less frequent this year. David C. Banks, NYC School Chief, stated that this policy will make sure that students can still learn in the snow.
Alternatives to Remote Learning
Remote learning is becoming a more popular option in school districts. The New York Department of Education issued this year a note on remote learning. While many school districts already have switched to online classroom instruction for their students, others are unsure about how remote learning will function on snow days.
Some school districts have opted out of traditional snow days altogether, while others have opted to use flexible instruction days. The School District of Philadelphia, for example, didn't hold traditional snow days for the 2019-20 school year, noting that the inclement weather shouldn't be a reason to cancel classes. Neshaminy's superintendent Mark Reilly stated in Pennsylvania that snow days are a rite of passage for students, but he does not support permanent learning via remote.
Impact on lower-income families
Many lower-income families have had to struggle to meet their basic needs because of the recent Northeast snowstorm. In addition to the cost of supplies and fuel, three to four days off from school can throw a wrench in budgets already stretched thin. For some families, the absence of school can mean missing three or four meals, putting them at risk of food insecurity. This is especially true if you are a lower-income family that relies on food assistance to get by.
Researchers from the National Bureau of Economic Research concluded that many children don't attend school when it is raining and miss out on important lessons. Even though students who return to school after a snow day are absent from the same lesson, teachers make up for the missed material by pushing their lesson plans back.
Cost to switch to remote learning while on a snow day
Schools must be open to the possibility of remote learning in snow days. For a variety reasons, Connecticut recommends schools offer remote learning. Snowstorms can cause power outages and make it impossible to access the internet. This can impact learning at school. Remote learning can be a great solution in these situations. Some districts like Old Saybrook are contemplating a move to this type of learning. Remote learning is a way for schools to offer students flexibility and can save parents time and money.
It can be costly for schools to switch to online learning on snow days. However, it is an efficient way for them to avoid having to close their doors. Schools have frequently cancelled classes due to snow days in the past to be able meet their 180 day mandate. Remote learning will enable schools to meet their 180-day mandate. Some people do not like this.
FAQ
What are some elearning tools?
Interactive media, such as animation and audio, is the best way to convey learning content.
These media allow learners to interact directly with the content. They also increase learner engagement and retention.
Online courses often contain video, audio, text and interactive features.
These courses might be free of charge, or they may cost a fee.
Here are some examples of e-learning software:
-
Online courses
-
Virtual classrooms
-
Webinars
-
Podcasts
-
Video tutorials
-
Self-paced, e-learning modules
-
Interactive
-
Social networking sites (SNS).
-
Blogs
-
Wikis
-
Discussion forums
-
Chat rooms
-
Email list
-
Forums
-
Quizzes
-
Polls
-
Questionnaires
What are some of the key obstacles to eLearning success?
E-Learning's biggest challenge is not technical, it's cultural. It's about people.
Understanding their motivations and learning styles is crucial. We must also understand their comfort level when learning online.
This is where we have to find ways to make this experience as natural as possible.
What is your biggest challenge when it comes to online education?
It is difficult to keep students interested in the course. If they are not interested in what you're teaching them, then how do you expect them to learn anything? The best way to ensure your students stay focused is to give them many choices. Giving students options means they have the ability to choose which modules, chapters, or exercises they'd like, and what tests, assignments, and websites they want.
How much multimedia should an eLearning course contain?
What you are trying to accomplish will determine the answer. If you are looking for a quick way to deliver information, then less is probably better. However, if you are looking at delivering training that will help people learn how to do something, then more may be better.
It is important to understand what you want from your eLearning course. Also, you need to know what your learners expect from the course. This will enable your course to be able to deliver the content necessary to accomplish your objectives.
You can take this example:
It's best to give people lots of examples to learn about Microsoft Word. To teach Excel to people, you will need to show them many different types.
It is also important to decide whether you plan to use images or video to illustrate concepts.
Video is great for demonstrating how to do something but not for explaining complicated topics. It is also expensive to produce. Images are cheaper to produce, but they don't convey the same level of emotion as a video.
The bottom line: You need to be clear about your goals before creating an eLearning program.
Statistics
- In the 2017 ATD research report Next-Generation E-Learning, 89% of those surveyed said that changes in e-learning require their staff to update or add new skills. (td.org)
- Hedonism incorporates intrinsic motivation, including novelty, challenge, excitement, and pleasure (Schwartz et al., 2012), which is likely to predict user perception of e-learning enjoyment. (sciencedirect.com)
- However, e-learning courses that are engaging, well-designed, and interesting are likely to be perceived as useful by e-learners (Roca & Gagné, 2008). (sciencedirect.com)
- According to ATD's 2021 State of the Industry report, technology-based learning methods, including e-learning, accounted for 80 percent of learning hours used in 2020. (td.org)
External Links
How To
What kind of technology should I use in eLearning?
You have many options, depending upon the type of device your learner uses.
-
Computer-based classes should be delivered on a PC.
-
Mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones can be used to deliver eLearning courses.
-
It is possible to use both mobile devices and computers to deliver courses.
-
Some organizations offer eLearning courses using DVD discs, which can be viewed from any computer.
-
The most popular option is to create web pages where users can view the material online.
-
You can also use hybrid solutions, where one part of the course is delivered via a website and another through a CD/DVD.
-
Finally, some companies offer free eLearning over the telephone. These can be recorded by the student and played back later.