The end of snow days is a debate that is far from over. Some people dislike the idea of snowdays, while others feel that they are a great tradition that deserves to be preserved. In this article, we'll examine the impact on lower-income families and the cost of switching from snow days to remote learning.
New York City's plans to eliminate snow days
New York City Department of Education won't allow students to stay at home on snow days as part of a new policy. Instead, they will offer online learning and virtual classes. The new system will become effective in the 2021-22 academic year. The plan is not without its challenges. Extreme weather could cause disruptions to the city's power grid. Some schools may lose Internet access.
The country criticized the decision as a drastic step. In the past, snow days meant late nights and playing in the snow. Snowdays this year will be rarer. David C. Banks (New York City School Chancellor) explained that this new policy will ensure students can continue to learn, even in the snow.
Alternatives to remote education
School districts are increasingly adopting remote learning. The New York Department of Education released a note about remote learning this year. Many school districts have already made the switch to online classroom instruction, but many are unsure of how remote learning will work on snow days.
Some school districts have chosen to not hold traditional snow days, while others choose to use flexible instructional days. The School District of Philadelphia, for example, didn't hold traditional snow days for the 2019-20 school year, noting that the inclement weather shouldn't be a reason to cancel classes. Neshaminy Superintendent Mark Reilly, Pennsylvania said that snow day is an important rite-of-pass for kids but he doesn't support permanent remote learning.
Impact on lower-income families
Many families of lower income are finding it difficult to meet basic needs as a result of the recent Northeast snowstorm. In addition to the cost of supplies and fuel, three to four days off from school can throw a wrench in budgets already stretched thin. Sometimes, families are at risk for food insecurity because they can't attend school. This is especially true for low-income families that often rely on food assistance, free or reduced price lunches, to make ends meet.
The National Bureau of Economic Research conducted an economic study and found that many children do not attend school due to inclement weather. This means they miss learning lessons. Even though students who return to school after a snow day are absent from the same lesson, teachers make up for the missed material by pushing their lesson plans back.
Cost of remote learning during a snowday
Schools must think about switching to remote learning when it is snowing. This option should be offered by schools in Connecticut for a number of reasons. Schools can offer remote learning in case of power cuts or snowstorms. Remote learning can be a great solution in these situations. Some districts, like the Old Saybrook school district are looking at a switch to this learning method. By offering students a choice of time and place, remote learning can help school districts avoid a potentially costly and time-consuming scenario for parents.
Although switching to remote learning can be costly, schools can avoid the extra costs of closing their doors due to the fact that it's an effective way to save money. Schools have had to cancel classes due to snow days in order to fulfill their 180-day mandate. Some people dislike the idea of schools switching to remote learning for snow days.
FAQ
What is the real value of eLearning?
Learners can access e-learning anytime and anywhere. They can learn from anywhere and at any time.
E-learning also allows you to interact with people who share your interests. This interaction can improve communication skills, knowledge sharing, and communication.
Technology allows for the easy transfer of information between student and teacher. The technology should be robust enough that it can deliver high-quality content.
E-learning can reduce travel costs and help to lower the cost of training.
It saves time and money by allowing the learner to complete their coursework while working or traveling.
What is the biggest challenge in online learning?
The biggest challenge is keeping students engaged throughout the course. Students must be interested in the course. If they don't, how can you expect them to learn anything? The best way to ensure your students stay focused is to give them many choices. This means giving them options like choosing which modules they want to study first, which chapters they want to read next, which exercises they want to try out, which tests they want to take, which assignments they want to start working on, and which websites they want to visit, which videos they want to watch, which games they want to play, etc.
What equipment do you need for eLearning learning?
It is essential that you set everything up correctly before you start an online class. Adobe Captivate will be your best choice.
Make sure you have all of the required software installed on your system. This includes Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat Reader, Flash Player, Java Runtime Environment, QuickTime 7, and Shockwave Flash 10.0.
Camtasia Studio from TechSmith is another screen capture tool you may want to consider. It allows you to record what is happening on your computer screen while you are working.
Last but not least, you may want to download a WebEx or GoToMeeting web conferencing software. These programs make it possible to communicate with other people watching the same presentation. They also let you share your desktop with others.
Statistics
- Interestingly, students' participation in online training grew by 142% in the past year alone, indicating how quality education and up-to-date teaching pedagogy are preferred by learners and working professionals to upskill across India. (economictimes.indiatimes.com)
- E-learning is intended to enhance individual-level performance, and therefore intend to use of e-learning should be predicted by a learner's preference for self-enhancement (Veiga, Floyd, & Dechant, 2001). (sciencedirect.com)
- The UK sample was relatively balanced in terms of gender (56% male) compared to the Gambian group (77% male). (sciencedirect.com)
- Hedonism incorporates intrinsic motivation, including novelty, challenge, excitement, and pleasure (Schwartz et al., 2012), which is likely to predict user perception of e-learning enjoyment. (sciencedirect.com)
External Links
How To
What technology should I use for eLearning?
There are several options available to you depending on what type of device your learner has.
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Computer-based courses should only be offered on a computer.
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Mobile devices like tablets and smartphones can be used as eLearning platforms.
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A combination of both mobile devices and computers can be used to deliver courses.
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Some organizations offer eLearning courses that are available on DVD discs and can be viewed by any computer.
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The most popular option is to create web pages where users can view the material online.
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There are also some hybrid solutions where part of the course is delivered through a website while another part is delivered through a CD or DVD.
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A few organizations also offer free eLearning classes over the phone. These courses can be recorded and replayed by the learner.