How will staff and students prepare for eLearning for school cancellation days?

A number of opportunities will be provided prior to October 1, 2019 to help prepare staff and students for eLearning.  Some examples include:

• Elementary Technology Integration Specialists (TIS) will coordinate training for staff regarding the utilization of Canvas for eLearning.
• Administration will inform K-12 teachers regarding expectations associated with the utilization of Canvas beginning with the 2019-2020 school year.
• Quality eLearning Lesson Checklist and Quality Canvas Course Checklist documents have been developed for use as resources for teachers.
• K-12 course templates have been created for teachers to utilize and exemplar lessons are being developed for teachers and administrators to use as resources.
• K-5 students and teachers will be utilizing Canvas at least one time each week as a minimum expectation during the regular school day by no later than October 1, 2019.
• 6-12 students and teachers will utilize Canvas on a daily basis throughout the entire school year.
• At least one practice in-school eLearning day will be scheduled in mid to late October 2019 to provide an opportunity to use eLearning at school as if school were canceled because of an unexpected emergency. The practice eLearning day will include a brief task for completion at home in order to check the capability for eLearning at home.
• Building administrators will ensure accountability for all established expectations (i.e. check Canvas eLearning plans prior to eLearning practice day). Administrators may include eLearning expectations as part of teacher evaluations (i.e. short observations).
• LCSC will host a district-wide Tech Night prior to the eLearning practice day to provide support to parents, guardians and others who may be assisting students at home.

How will teachers be contacted during eLearning to support student learning?

• Teachers will post their assignments, availability and contact information on their Canvas course home page.
• Teachers may be contacted as needed by students, parents and/or principals during the normal school day hours on the eLearning day by contacting the teacher following the directions posted by the individual teachers.

What is the timeline for teachers to assign work on an eLearning day?

The following timeline is in accordance with IDOE guidelines:

• Teachers will inform students of their lessons, activities and assignments through each teacher’s Canvas home page by 9:00 a.m.
• If a delay day becomes a school cancellation, the deadline extends to 11:00 a.m.
• Due to the unique learning needs of Developmental Pre-School and Life Skills students, teachers may use flexibility regarding the timeline.
• Special education lessons and assignments for eLearning must focus on IEP goals.
• Assignments and related materials should be made available as close to real time as possible.

What will be the student workload expectation for eLearning?

No minimum or maximum amount of time is expected. Student “work load” is determined by grade level, the lesson plans for that day, the types of courses students are taking, and the amount of time needed to complete the learning experiences.  Teachers strive to mimic the same workload students experience during a regular school day, taking into account passing periods and transition time a student would typically experience. 

• Grades K-5: Students should expect to have an eLearning assignment for reading, language arts, math, science and/or social studies, and a special area class. 
• Grades 6-12: Students should expect to have eLearning work for each class in their schedule.
• Special Education (i.e. Developmental Pre-School and Life Skills):
  • Students will be provided assignments to support their IEP goals. Some allowances may be needed regarding completion time expectations due to the individual learning needs of each student.
  • Special education teachers will determine how much work students are expected to complete for eLearning while considering a variety of factors such as student attention span as well as IEP goals.

What is the timeline for students to submit completed work?

• Planned eLearning Days: Teachers will provide guidance regarding deadlines for submitting completed work for planned eLearning days. 
• Unplanned eLearning Days: Students are expected to submit completed work on the day of unplanned eLearning days, but teachers may grant extensions on an individual basis, as needed.
• Teachers will grant an extension for students to complete work when school is canceled for two or more consecutive unplanned eLearning days.
• Teachers will make determinations on a case-by-case basis to provide extended time for special needs students (i.e. Life Skills and Developmental Pre-School) to complete and submit assignments.

What is eLearning, and what are some of the benefits?

An eLearning day:

• Involves the use of technology and innovative strategies to engage students in learning
• Creates a collaborative environment and promotes digital literacy
• Utilizes technology to access educational curriculum, also known as blended learning
• Serves as a tool for creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking
• Provides students with experience and practice exercising acceptable use and appropriate digital citizenship
• Extends learning beyond the classroom walls
• Provides the opportunity for staff and students to make-up learning closer to real time instead of making up the days later in the school
• Minimizes the need to extend the school calendar to accommodate for make-up days.

 What steps are required for IDOE to approve eLearning days for a school district?

Effective spring 2019, Indiana school districts are not required to request approval from IDOE to implement eLearning days.  Assurances to maintain instructional fidelity remain the responsibility of the school district.

• LCSC requests School Board approval for implementing eLearning days during the 2019-20 school year using IDOE assurances as the benchmark for readiness.

 How was the structure of eLearning for school cancellation days determined?

• Under the direction of the LCSC Superintendent an eLearning advisory group, comprised of administrators and teachers, worked together to develop a proposal for implementing eLearning.
• The group reviewed a variety of resources provided by IDOE, and other school districts already entrenched in eLearning to develop a proposal for initiating an eLearning plan for LCSC as well as a more detailed implementation plan including information for students, staff and parents.

 When will eLearning for school cancellation days occur?

• When the Superintendent (or designee) makes the decision to cancel a regularly scheduled school day due to an unplanned emergency (i.e. inclement weather, road conditions or health epidemic).
• The school closing announcement will include a statement about replacing the school day with an eLearning day.

 How will students make up the learning time on eLearning days?

Teachers will utilize Canvas to provide meaningful instruction and assignments for students to complete as practice and to demonstrate understanding. 

 Has LCSC established a maximum number of eLearning days?

The eLearning Advisory Group proposes the implementation of eLearning days for unplanned school cancellation days with a maximum of four consecutive and/or five totaleLearning days during the 2019-2020 school year.

• If school is canceled for more than four consecutive days during the 2019-2020 school year, the Superintendent may elect utilize any or all of the six “flex days” (e.g. federal holidays or professional development days) included in the previously approved 2019-20 school calendar.
• Upon accumulating a fifth school cancellation day, to make up the canceled school days the Superintendent elect to:
• utilize any of the remaining “flex days”
• add eLearning days and/or
• extend the school year, if absolutely necessary

How will students access lesson content on eLearning days?

Teachers will use a Learning Management System (LMS) to streamline lesson content into one common location digitally for students to access during eLearning days.

What Learning Management System does LCSC use?

LCSC teachers and students will utilize Canvas as the K-12 LMS.

Will staff and students have devices to utilize for eLearning Days?

• All certified staff have school-issued MacBook Air devices and/or iPads.
• K-5: Students may use school-issued iPads for school-related work while at school or at home while following established policies and procedures.
• 6-12: Students school-issued MacBook Air devices for school-related work while at school or at home while following established policies and procedures.
• Technology devices are not typically issued to Developmental Pre-School (DPK) and Life Skills students because they do not rely heavily upon such devices for school.
• Prior to taking home a device, all students must have a completed Device Use Agreement Form completed in Skyward.

Will students need and have access to the Internet?

• Using eLearning does not mean all households must have Wi-Fi, although many LCSC students and teachers have the ability to access digital learning away from school.
• Accessible community Wi-Fi listings for the Lebanon and Whitestown areas include Starbucks, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Buffalo Wild Wings, Parky’s and the Lebanon Public Library.
• Special accommodations can be provided on a case-by-case basis.

What is the status of the LCSC filtering system?

Internet access on school-issued devices will be filtered the same whether the devices are accessed on campus or away from campus.  Students are prohibited from circumventing the filter.

Attendance will be determined by each building and could include check in on Canvas, work completion, activity on Canvs or other measures determined by the building. eLearning due dates will be determined and communicated by the teachers for each course. All due dates will be posted on Canvas. If students have problems meeting the due dates, they should communicate with their teachers.

What should a student do if technology is not working for them on an eLearning day?

• Any questions regarding lesson content or related resources should be directed to the teacher.
• If a student has trouble with a LCSC device or Canvas students or parents should contact the Tech Hotline (# to be provided).
• In the event of a widespread technology issue, LCSC will communicate the problem and any solution via ParentLink. Otherwise, staff will work with the student/parent to address the concern on a case-by-case basis when students return to school.

What if my student receives accommodations?
Learning plans i.e. Special Education Individual Education Plans (IEP), English Learners Individual Learning Plans (ILP) and Section 504 Plans will include provisions for eLearning accommodations for eligible students.

• Teachers who are responsible for the implementation of the learning plans will work with parents/guardians and appropriate staff members, as needed, prior to implementing eLearning days to clarify expectations for student learning and how they will provide the required support.
• A conference may be needed, or an addendum may suffice.
• Students with such accommodations will be provided with or have access to their identified accommodations for eLearning assignments. Specific information needs to be included in their plans regarding accommodations such as screen readers and speech-to-text if no scribe is available.
• Teachers must document how accommodations are provided to the students.
• Learning plans may need to include extended time beyond the eLearning window as an allowable accommodation for some students.

Will there be offline support for students whose accommodations cannot be met through online learning?

• Teachers will provide parents with appropriate educational materials and learning activities for student for students with disabilities who do not use Canvas for learning or for whom Canvas is not appropriate.
• Accommodation requirements for eLearning days, including Canvas usage, should be outlined within the accommodations section of the student’s IEP, ILP or 504 Plan.

How will an English Learner student with an ILP (Individual Learning Plan) receive support?

Teachers will provide parents with appropriate educational materials and learning activities for EL student use on eLearning days per the student’s ILP.

What guidance will parents receive about how to support their children during eLearning events?

Parents will have the opportunity to learn about eLearning and Canvas through a variety of offerings: Tech Night sessions, videos, newsletters, and other resources as needed. 

Will adult supervision be required for eLearning experiences?

Assignments for eLearning days are designed to be completed by the student with little or no parent involvement required unless specifically stated by the teacher. Some content may be new, but accessing the assignments and using technology should be something students are used to doing independently.

Q: Will this device be tied to a student for the entire year?

A: It is a common practice to assign a student a specific technology device to utilize each day. This topic will be discussed further among district elementary administrators to determine a consistent framework.

Q: How will student training be implemented?

A: District elementary administration will determine expectations for student training across the district.

Q: What are the essential educational applications that students will use?

A: There are a plethora of outstanding educational applications that exist for the iPad – many of which are free of charge. Elementary administrators see the value in working with their building level professional educators in determining the selection of applications that support their individual school’s educational programming needs. 

The process for approval by the building administrator will include an application.  This application will include a description and justification.  Canvas will be utilized to monitor and review these applications.  Each week the building principal will review and determine the appropriateness of each app request.  Upon the approval and deployment of an app, the

information, justification, as well as the teacher’s name will be uploaded to the grade level folder on Canvas.  This folder is viewable throughout the district by that grade level as well as the grade level above and below.  The teacher’s name will be included as a district resource for implementation and guidance for other teachers.  If an app is denied, it will be added to a list, also housed on Canvas, which teachers can refer to when seeking quality apps for their students.

Q: How can I learn more about iPads and their use?

A: You can access the Apple website to learn more.

Q: How will technology be utilized in the classroom?

A: Computer technology is utilized in the classroom for a variety of instructional assignments including research, creative writing and PowerPoint displays, as well as assessments (both formative and summative). Students also access a variety of online resources to support their learning of academic content.

The blended learning approach is a mixture of traditional face-to-face direct instruction and technology and online learning. Student engagement, enhanced student and teacher interaction, student time management and flexibility and improved learning outcomes have been associated with the blended learning model.   

Q: How will teachers manage devices and accountability of students? (i.e. Apple Classroom)

A: Teachers will have access to iPad tools such as Apple Classroom that allows teachers to monitor student engagement digitally. Teachers have the ability to guide students through lessons, watch their progress and assist students in keeping on track, all via the Apple Classroom digital application.

 Q: Is Lebanon Community School Corporation replacing textbooks with digital content?

A: Providing a blend of traditional educational best practice with the best possible digital applications and resources will help prepare and support our students to become engaged and productive citizens in the 21^st Century.

Q: How will you keep my child safe from inappropriate content?

A: LCSC have technology “firewalls” in place to filter and block inappropriate content from student use. Student searches are continually monitored and any concerning student activity is reported to school administration.

Q: What instruction is provided to safeguard students from inappropriate use of technology?

A:  Throughout the school year, Digital Citizenship lessons are incorporated across grade levels. LCSC schools will be utilizing the following programming: www.commonsense.org