Digital Technologies 

POSITIVE OUTCOMES 

Whilst remote learning has been extremely challenging for families and teachers, one of the positive outcomes has been the creative use of technology and software.

Our teachers have introduced a variety of learning platforms to help engage students and make Remote Learning as successful as possible.  Hats off to all teachers!!!

Yes... there's been a few glitches here and there, but that's technology for you!  

It has also been wonderful to see the way students have explored technology.  Who would have thought students would be taking teachers on virtual trips around their backyard, live-streaming with the principal and creating online clubs to keep classmates feel connected.

And let's not forget you; the parents.  I have received so many emails saying that technology isn't your strong suit, but you've persevered and acquired technology skills that you never thought possible.  Hats off to you, parents!!!

As hard as Remote Learning is, how thankful we need to be, that it has occurred at a time when we have the equipment, knowledge  and expertise to actually make it possible. 

If Remote Learning was necessary for the previous generation, it would have been a lot of pencils and paper and little, or no communication between students and teachers.

So.....technology rocks !!!

JUST IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THESE SUGGESTIONS.....

1. Have you bookmarked the Student Landing Page?  Students can access everything easily from this page. Here is the link....                                                                                                          SJV STUDENT LANDING PAGE
2. Have you installed the Read Aloud extension?  It's great in assisting students to read/follow slide instructions.  Here is the link...                                                                                                                   READ ALOUD EXTENSION
3. Google have made updates to Meets and Hangouts, so the Google extension you may have used last term, will no longer work.  Uninstall any grid view extensions you have on your child's school account and install this extension.                                                                               INSTALL GRID VIEW EXTENSION
4. Student Emails: Students should restrict their emails to their teachers and close friends.  They should not be sending emails to the whole class.  (Several teachers are a part of group emails and they can see when students are sending trivial emails to the whole class) When a teacher emails the whole class, encourage children to click "Reply" rather than "Reply All".
5. Borrowed Chromebooks:  Families who have borrowed chromebooks are required to follow the same guidelines as last term.  Here is the link to the loan guidelines. Please sign and email a copy to wendy.ephgrave@sjvermont.catholic.edu.au.                                                                    SJV LOAN DOCUMENT
6. SJV USER AGREEMENT remains valid during Remote Learning.  Children need to be using their accounts responsibly and respectfully and restricting their use to school activities.  However, it is important that students feel connected, so they are encouraged to email their close friends.  If parents have time it would be great if you could organise video chats for your children too.  (The biggest negative that children voiced last term, was missing their friends)
7. BALANCE: Online learning is far more taxing than being at school.  Children are relying on technology for most of their activities and spend a lot of time looking at screens, so please..... make sure children are taking regular breaks, getting outside in the fresh air, playing board games, reading real books and chatting in person.

Good Luck with Remote Learning 2.0!