eLearning begins at colleges, private schools

Online teaching is underway at all tertiary institutions and most private schools, the Ministry of Education has declared, even as it is yet to declare if and when the third term of the school year is to begin.

All public schools are this week preparing to roll out online teaching using the Google G Suite for Education platform which is accessed from any PC, laptop, tablet or smart mobile device, the ministry said.

The development follows consultations between Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw, civil servants, principals of all public and private schools and the unions for teachers and principals.

Additionally, while the ministry works with providers and suppliers to ensure every child has internet access and devices to use the new eLearning platform, it will also be using radio and television in the interim to provide educational content to ensure that students are not disadvantaged, the ministry said.

“The times and dates for this content will be shared in due course,” the education ministry said in a statement.

“Parents/guardians of students who have not yet received the information on how to log on to the Google G Suite for Education platform are asked to contact the principals or the class teachers of their respective schools to receive the details.”

During the Easter break, the ministry’s information technology coordinators have been training about 80 teachers in the use of the eLearning platform, the education ministry said.

But schools and teachers are expected to avoid introducing new concepts during the eLearning process once they begin to use the Google G Suite Classroom – at least for now.

The ministry said: “This week provides an opportunity to identify any issues with the Google Classroom that need to be addressed and to ensure that all teachers are comfortable with this new emergency response teaching platform.

“It also allows the Ministry of Education an opportunity to finalize protocols for teachers, students and parents to operate in an online environment.’

The ministry said it was aware that the e-learning environment was new to teachers, students and parents, but pointed out it would be “an exciting learning experience for all”.

It also asked all parties to be patient “as we work to ensure that the nation’s children are not disadvantaged during this period of shut down”.

The Ministry of Education said it would continue to update members of the public on the way forward and encouraged “all Barbadians to continue to practise physical distancing and stay safe”.