VR1 Academic - A Guide to Online Learning

VIRTUAL

Academic

Dear all, I am delighted to be able to provide you with this easy-to-read guide on online learning at Radley. The world is a very complicated and confusing place at the moment.

With Virtual Radley, we are trying to keep things simple.

I am very confident that Radley can provide a first-rate education for your son, combining the very best of our traditional proven standards with an exciting dive into online learning.

This guide tells you what you can expect from different members of staff in different roles.

There may be slight overlap with other booklets and I would ask that you read each one carefully. The overall picture, we hope, is of a balance between ambition, innovation and realism.

We know you will do what you can to help us make sure that your son works hard and effectively from home. Again, we understand that each household has its own dynamic, with its own particular pressures at this time, all of which needs to be taken into account – and to which we shall be responsive.

I would want to emphasise that we are well aware that the pastoral and extracurricular elements are vital to ensuring boys can study effectively, in whatever circumstances they find themselves – in the UK, abroad, in an area with good or bad broadband, in a quiet or a crowded household, etc.

I hope it goes without saying that we have put a lot of thought into planning this programme.

We have consulted widely with those who have been organising online lessons abroad and, latterly, in the UK. We do not pretend our programme is the finished product - it will evolve over time. Boys and parents will be asked for their ongoing feedback and we shall aim to incorporate changes quickly and efficiently.

I have been in regular touch with the Vth and 6.2 boys and their parents and I hope they feel reassured that we will support them throughout the exam process; that we will help them gain a sense of ‘closure’ with each of their subjects; and that we will provide a stimulating programme of preparation for the next stage for both groups.

May I ask that any requests, suggestions or concerns you might have regarding academic matters be sent to me in the first instance at SR.Rathbone@radley.org.uk.

I want to wish all boys the very best with the academic side – indeed with their whole experience – of Virtual Radley.

Parents can expect: • • • • • • • •

A full, demanding and interesting academic programme.

Radley to be responsive to the need to adjustment as experience and feedback dictate.

Radley to continue to research the best methodology for online learning, drawing from a wide variety of national and international sources.

Academic Interim Reports every three weeks as normal To be contacted if there are concerns over their son’s level of engagement To be contacted if there are ongoing technical issues, with the understanding that we shall do everything at our end to rectify these.

To be contacted if there are concerns over their son’s conduct That all staff will be doing their level best to ensure that online learning at Virtual Radley is a rich, productive and memorable exercise for all concerned.

Boys should: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Behave online as if they were at Radley, remembering the importance of a clean ‘digital footprint’.

Adhere to classroom and wider school rules during online lessons - as if they were at Radley.

Register with the teacher at the start of periods 1 and 6.

Be in Summer Dress and on time for online classes.

Study, if possible, in an appropriate designated workspace Work at a suitable desk with a comfortable chair.

Eat and drink sensibly.

Aim to participate in online classes, orally or by messaging as appropriate.

Aim to get off screen during off-line periods and take some kind of exercise.

Aim to complete tasks as set and adhere to deadlines.

Be patient with the fact that, initially at least, online learning may seem a little unusual.

Be ready to learn in new and interesting ways – which will develop their skills greatly Not hesitate to raise any concerns with subject dons/Form Master/Tutor.

Keep online work in clearly marked subject folders e.g. Maths, History etc.

Save all work to the Cloud, not on a home PC or memory stick.

Teaching dons will: • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Lay out clear expectations for online classes - in terms of behaviour and work ethic.

Give clear work instructions for every lesson, in good time.

Expect boys to be prepared to work independently - in preparation for lessons and in completing set tasks.

During lessons, give direct and simple explanation of what is being done and why.

Expect boys to participate in online discussion in class when appropriate.

Encourage ongoing discussion and questioning via messaging.

Ensure work is set regularly and marked within a reasonable timeframe.

Use a variety of methods to keep online learning fresh and iterative, but without losing a sense of structure and familiarity - deploying a mixture of live (synchronous) and recorded (asynchronous) elements.

Aim, as usual, to deploy externally produced materials alongside their own resources.

Provide short video or audio clips, no more than 15 minutes long, to avoid exacerbating slow downloading issues and be precise about which part of a longer video to watch.

Avoid setting any task which requires materials difficult to source.

Guide lessons by commenting, asking questions and probing for deeper understanding.

Contact boys individually to encourage and suggest areas for improvement.

Aim to respond to boys’ enquiries as quickly as is feasible.

Take care not to overload boys, accepting that online learning is more tiring than normal teaching and that tasks may take longer to complete.

Create online lessons which differentiate for different paces of learning and understanding.

Take special care that the requirements of those with SEND and other learning issues are catered to – in concert with the Academic Support department.

Provide lists of extra reading, online resources and other activities to stretch those who wish to go beyond the programmes of study and develop independent learning skills.

Provide activities on interactive platforms, where boys will get feedback and be able to compete with their colleagues, and in some circumstances, a wider student base.

Will be doing their best to ensure Virtual Radley is a great success!

Teaching dons may: •

As they wish (but not always), record online lessons, so they can be used for those in different time zones and to protect against any misunderstandings regarding safeguarding and propriety.

Teaching dons will not: • • • •

Be expecting perfection in all regards, especially where there are technical or family issues which may make normal work harder for boys.

Set unrealistically heavy workloads.

Be impatient with boys who are finding the technology difficult.

Mind boys contacting them for advice on tasks and extension work.

Academic Support will: • • • • •

Provide ongoing support for those boys with SEND and other learning requirements.

Liaise with heads of department to ensure all boys are able to cope with online learning.

Liaise with Tutors and Form Masters for the resolution of any learning support-related issue.

Liaise with the Academic Director as appropriate on SEND needs and issues arising from online learning.

Liaise with parents as appropriate on SEND and other academic support needs Contact: Mrs Lucy Smart LRIS.Smart@radley.org.uk.

The Exams Office will: • • •

•

Support boys and parents during the 2020 awards process for GCSE and A-level.

Support boys and parents during any appeals against those awards (which will be made in July).

Work with the Academic Director to ensure parents are informed of any developments with award of qualifications, appeals process and preparations for any exams which boys may sit in September.

Handle entries for future exam series as normal Contact Mrs Jo Bailey, JAB.Bailey@radley.org.uk.

The Director of University Entrance will: • • •

Continue to advise 6.2 boys on the university choices and on issues which may arise at the time of the award of grades in July.

Continue to advise 6.1 boys on potential university choices, in concert with the UCAS Supervisor and Foreign University team.

Continue to be available to all applicants and their parents for online discussions regarding any aspect of the university application process Contact: Mr James Sheldrake JASS.Sheldrake@radley.org.uk.

Technical Concerns What if my child doesn’t have a webcam or microphone?

Pupils can still participate in lessons. There is no requirement for a pupil to share their screen if they do not wish to – they will find the lesson more engaging if they do. If they do not have a microphone, they can use the chat functions to type any questions they have during or following the lesson.

We have a slow internet connection: will that be a problem?

During a live lesson, pupils can turn off their camera to reduce the amount of bandwidth being used. Live lessons may be recorded and pupils will be able to access them at a more convenient time when there is less demand on the internet connection.

How do we create the right space to work in?

It may be difficult to find a space that is quiet when there are many demands for this from a household. It would be acceptable for pupils to use headphones while on a live lesson (many do study to music) to stay focused in a busy space. Microphones can be muted when not speaking (by the Don or the pupil) to avoid background noise.

We are concerned about the increased amount of screen time.

The design of the Virtual Radley day is truncated, with chances to be away from the screen.

Boys should be encouraged to take a break between lessons - we have reduced the length of a teaching period to 35 minutes to allow this. Not all lessons will require boys to be at a screen for the duration. There will be time to work on paper - taking notes for example.

Where can we get technical help?

The IT helpdesk will do its best to help with any technical difficulties faced during this period.

As you will appreciate, it is difficult to fix any hardware problems without being physically onhand. We would ask that you follow these steps to help solve any technical issues: 1. Try the internet – search for a solution online. There is a wealth of information including video run-throughs which may help 2. Ask in-house – somebody in your household, your classmates or your Don may be able to help you find a solution.

3. Email the IT helpdesk – If you have not been able to solve things, email the IT helpdesk at helpdesk@radley.org.uk. We will do our best to reply and assist you.

We are in a different time zone, what effect will that have on live lessons?

Dons will be recording lessons that impact those in different time zones so that they do not miss out. We have also rearranged the shape of the day slightly - we hope that helps. Tutors will be in touch with each internationally based boy.

Stephen Rathbone, Academic Director