The Deutsche Internationale Schule of Johannesburg discussed the pros and cons of their e-learning journey with the Gazette.
Principal Thomas Bachmeier explained that the school used e-learning from 18 to 27 March and will again use this method when term resumes from 14 April until school returns to normal.
“The teachers provide the students individually with materials according to the curriculum contents of the respective subjects…” said Bachmeier.
He explained that teachers have been supported through training and parents and learners have access to an IT help desk to assist in case of problems.
Deputy principal of the kindergarden Kamogelo Mochadibane said that teachers created videos to send on WhatsApp groups in order to supplement the website and YouTube links.
Mochadibane said that the kindergarten has also made use of the app Anton, which helps teachers open up a group for their class and pin beneficial activities for the class to make use of.
“One is able to check the progress of individual kids and see who is doing what,” said Mochadibane.
Bachmeieir advised parents to give their children a structured daily routine, with phases of schoolwork, breaks, shared meals and free time.
“This is important because I observed that some [learners] are completely over-strained and others hardly do any school work at all. It is also important that, depending on the age group, parents or pupils keep in touch with their teachers and classmates as e-learning always carries the risk of isolation due to lack of social contacts,” said Bachmeier.
Mochadibane advised parents to expose their children to language by continuing to read to them and make use of the ideas shared with them on the WhatsApp groups.
Bachmeier said that while the school would have liked more time to prepare teachers and learners for this period, he is astonished with how well they have managed the changeover.
Bachmeier said the school’s greatest challenge was providing access to the internet and equipment for the approximately 60 learners who are now excluded from e-learning. “At first, we wanted to provide them with materials once a week, but after lockdown this was no longer possible either. This is very frustrating because the extreme social inequality among our learners is now having a negative impact on learning and equal opportunities, something we have been successfully fighting for years.”
Related articles:
DSJ learners battle it out at netball and soccer tournaments #SchoolSport
DSJ learner wins five medals at International Dance Organanisation Grand Prix
