Online Learning in Senior School

It is evident that our Senior School is thriving in the new technological landscape. Each classroom is equipped with a camera to capture synchronous lessons, and the use of Microsoft Teams has enabled teachers to bring the online students into their lessons for activities and discussions. Our learning community has truly become global.

Teachers in the Senior School have continued their learning by experimenting with new technology in their lessons. Integrating applications and various software has strengthened their teaching, while the use of Edsby and Microsoft OneNote has helped students follow lessons, submit work and keep organized. This has increased the engagement of students in their learning.

An area we are particularly proud of is the Music program. Although many schools are currently not offering Music as a subject, students at Pickering College are flourishing in their studies. This year, Senior School students have had the opportunity to improve their vocal and instrumental skills through individualized practice routines, listening activities and music theory lessons. Although they participate from home, they have synchronous rehearsals using a common pulse such as a metronome and backing tracks, and students have also created multi-screen videos of the repertoire they are learning.

In the Music Production course, a new offering for Pickering College, students are learning how to record, mix, re-mix and edit their projects in a digital audio workstation (DAW). They are also discovering how to add effects, panning and reverbs, make volume mixes, while improving their critical listening skills. Students in this course understand how sound can be manipulated in a digital audio workstation, just as professionals do.

This is just one example of the richness of online learning in the Senior School and we are excited to continue our development of online education.