For Ashley Logan, a Grade 9 student at Innisdale Secondary School, remote learning was not a choice.
During last night’s Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) meeting, trustees heard a delegation from Ashley and her mother Sherrie Logan, voicing concerns about the switch to a hybrid model of learning, slated to take place for secondary students in February 2021.
As a liver transplant recipient, Ashley is immunocompromised.
“Unfortunately, because of my medical history, I’m not one of the lucky kids who get to go to school anymore, or participate in any activities outside my home,” she said. “My family has been on strict lockdown since March. I don’t get to see my friends.”
Back in November, the public board announced that secondary schools would be moving to a hybrid learning model beginning in February 2021.
All secondary school students will be assigned to classroom teachers from their home school and attend classes in-person at school or virtually through the digital learning platform, Desire2Learn (D2L). Teachers will provide instruction to students who are in class as well as those who are at home through the use of video technology.
Ashley said the Learn@Home program has been a positive experience for her for the most part, making it possible for her to participate actively with other students who may be in the same situation she is.
There were, however, key challenges she highlighted for the board including creating a poor learning environment, issues with technology, communication challenges such as limited engagement and the social isolation that could occur.
Under the new hybrid system starting February, Ashley would have to switch to the Desire2Learn platform so it's possible her instructors would be teaching both in-person and online students.
“Teacher engagement is going to be especially limited. It’s hard to imagine how a teacher will be able to effectively engage with remote students,” she said.
She gave an example of a math class using algebra tiles to understand a concept. She said remote learners did not have access to the tiles.
“In order to complete the assignment, the teacher had us create our own tools, which took extra time. I know this may seem like a small issue, when you add up all the tools required to adapt the concept to remote learning, I’m worried teachers won’t have enough time to figure it out to provide equal opportunity for both to learn,” she said.
Ashley discussed technological challenges, including internet connections, while also referring to the remote school currently having a chat function to engage with other students and teachers in a class, which she said she finds helpful.
“We are going to lose that through the hybrid model since remote learners will be the minority,” she said.
With students coming and going between in-class and remote through the hybrid model, Ashley said she has concerns about consistency.
“Since the SCDSB is committed to an equitable education system, I hope you can understand my concerns,” she said. “The hybrid model is going to be challenging and will have a negative impact on remote learners.”
Ashley finished her presentation by asking to hear the board’s results of conversations on the issue so she could understand the path forward.
“Specifically, how will you be addressing equity, accessibility and fair and inclusive education for remote learners?” she asked.
Orillia/Ramara/Severn trustee and chairperson Jodi Lloyd thanked the presenters and opted to accept the presentation as information.
No trustees or staff responded to Ashley’s request following her presentation during the meeting.
