By Kevin J. Sabo
For the Independent
With classes canceled across the region due to the ongoing threat of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Clearview Public Schools teachers are relying on technology to instruct their students.
Starting March 23rd, using services such as Seesaw, Google Classroom, and Google Meet, Clearview Public Schools teachers are back teaching their students, albeit from a distance.
The services mentioned allow teachers to share lessons either by written document or shared video as well as send and receive assignments from students.
“Students can see it at their leisure, and work on their assignments from home,” said district Superintendent Peter Barron.
While it is the first time that Clearview Public Schools has relied on technology quite this heavily, it is not the first time that teachers have been using the platforms to aid with teaching.
“We’ve been using Google Classroom for two to three years now,” said Barron.
“Teachers can share content, share assignments, and receive assignments from students.”
In an effort to help stabilize things for the students, some teachers have begun online “office hours,” making themselves available to their students via Google Meet, which allows teachers and students to meet either one on one or in groups via videophone.
“Some teachers are setting up office hours during the time the classes would have been,” said Barron.
“Some are advising kids to be online at certain times.”
Depending on the age level of the students, teachers will be assigning homework to students. Younger grades can expect around five hours of homework per week, while high school students should expect about three hours per week per course.
“The reality is that we won’t be able to cover the curriculum as completely as we would like. We’ve asked teachers to look at the really ‘big rock’ items, what (are) really the most essential learnings between now and the end of the year, recognizing that there will be challenges for parents to support their kids in learning at home,” said Barron.
Barron encourages parents and students to keep in contact with their schools and teachers, noting that classes are canceled but schools are still open, and teachers are hard at work.
“We miss (the kids) immensely. This is not our preferred way of doing things,” said Barron.
“We recognize that this is very hard. Students and teachers have very close relationships, and this was an abrupt end to that relationship.”
Classes through all Clearview Public Schools continue to be cancelled indefinitely, however using the technology that is available to them teachers are working hard to continue educating their students.