District 202 had been slowly building its e-learning program before the pandemic shut down schools in March 2020. That work quickly accelerated in spring and summer 2020 as the district transitioned incrementally back to in-person learning in fall 2020 and winter and spring 2021.
Now, e-learning is a normal part of the educational package, Wood said.
“In this computer and Internet-driven age, there is no reason why we can’t continue instruction at home when schools have to be closed,” he said.
Under District 202’s e-learning plan, students would get either “synchronous” and “asynchronous” learning or both through their Google Classrooms, depending on the circumstances of the school closure.
“Synchronous” learning is teacher-led instruction over the Internet. Under “asynchronous” instruction, students work independently on assignments posted online.
In all cases students would receive at least five clock hours per day of instruction and schoolwork per current state requirements.
As well, e-learning will mean the district will no longer have to make up “emergency days” at the end of the school year to meet state attendance requirements.
The Board of Education also directed staff to develop a plan to provide synchronous instruction for students who are excluded or quarantined from school.
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