​Getting your child ready to engage in the PDSB Online Learning​

In order to begin the learning experience for you and your child, a number of resources have been prepared to support you and your child with distance learning.

Please visit this resources​ website regularly as it will continue to be updated. 

Returning to the formal learning environment for any student is an adjustment after the summer break.  We ask that you use this orientation time to establish a schedule for your family and child so that they are better prepared to meet the expectations of a full daily timetable. Begin slowly and increase the number of minutes daily that your child is online, so that the transition is smooth. Ensure that you build in wellness breaks during the day and that each child takes time daily for physical activity.

There are many learning experiences that a student can have while not online.  Please encourage those and others during this first week. Some ideas include:

• Keep a daily journal
• Wonder about something and then research it through books, talking to family members or friends or experimenting
• Read – everyone should read at least three things every day, a book or a chapter of a book, a poem and something they have written themselves
• Create some artwork
• Set a daily goal
• Interpretive play – drama, puppets
  

• ​Synchronous learning: Learning that happens in real time. Synchronous learning involves using text, video, or voice communication in a way that enables educators and other members of the school- or board-based team to instruct and connect with students in real time. Synchronous learning supports the well-being and academic achievement of all students, including students with Special Education needs, by providing educators and students with an interactive and engaging way to learn. It helps teachers provide immediate feedback to students and enables students to interact with one another.
• Asynchronous learning: Learning that is not delivered in real time. Asynchronous learning may involve students watching pre-recorded video lessons, completing assigned tasks, or contributing to online discussion boards.

Instruction will be delivered by Peel Board Educators, but not necessarily by staff assigned to a student’s home school or class. Each student will be assigned a class taught by a qualified Teacher, who they and their parents/caregivers can connect with directly. 

Secondary students in the PDSB Online Learning will take two courses in a quadmester over approximately 10 weeks.

How many minutes will students be engaged in remote learning?

A school day, whether in-person or online, involves 300 minutes (or 5 hours) of learning. In the PDSB Online Learning, as per Ministry direction, students will engage in the following number of minutes of synchronous (live) learning:

The remainder of the 300 minutes, students will engage in asynchronous learning, where they will work on follow-up activities or assignments provided during the live learning portion of their day.

Courses and timetables

Students will be provided with a timetable outlining the daily schedule of subjects/courses according to a five-hour instructional day with opportunities for frequent, live contact with a Teacher and expectations for synchronous learning. Attendance will be taken daily by the online Teacher, and students are expected to be present during online learning instruction.

Assessment, evaluation and reporting

All PDSB Online Learning students will receive a Report Card as they would if they attended school in person. They will be evaluated as per Curriculum requirements. This also applies to Progress Reports, the Kindergarten Communication of Learning Initial Observations, and the Kindergarten Communication of Learning.