Virtual Expectations
Minimum Expectations for Virtual and Synchronous (Real Time) Learning
Note: Students may not be working on a computing device for the entire time allocated for synchronous learning. At times, students will be working independently during real-time learning, away from their device, with the teacher available for support in the digital classroom.
Daily Minimum Requirement for Synchronous (Real Time) Learning
Families of elementary and secondary students in the Virtual Learning model will be provided with a schedule of synchronous (real time) and asynchronous (independent) learning opportunities based on direction from the Ministry of Education. This schedule will be confirmed in advance to support families with planning.
Kindergarten – 180 minutes
Our Kindergarten Virtual Learning classes will continue to engage our youngest students in learning through play- based and inquiry opportunities.
The programs focus on children’s learning development within four frames (topics):
- Belonging and Contributing
- Self-Regulation and Well-Being
- Demonstrating Literacy and Mathematics Behaviours
- Problem Solving and Innovating
Students will be assessed and evaluated by teachers following Growing Success – The Kindergarten Addendum putting an emphasis on conversations and observations. For Kindergarten students who select Virtual Learning, our WCDSB Educator Teams will provide various community building experiences at the start of the school year. The Kindergarten program will be delivered through both synchronous (live, real time) and asynchronous (independent) opportunities, recognizing the importance of regular connection between the Educator team, the students and their peers.
Gradual Entry for Kindergarten Year One (K1) and New Year Two Students (K2)
Our JK (K1) and NEW K2 (SK) students will be supported through a process we refer to in WCDSB as gradual entry. Gradual entry means students who are new to the school (K1 students and new K2 students) start on different days throughout the first week (September 14 – 18), gradually as the week progresses. By Friday, September 18, 2020, all Kindergarten students will have started their year in the Full Day Kindergarten program online at St Isidore (Virtual Learning). A specific schedule is provided to Kindergarten families by the school prior to the first day of school.
Sample Schedule:
| Time | |
|---|---|
| 8:30 – 9:30 | Opening Community Building and Curriculum – all students |
| 9:30 – 9:45 | Break |
| 9:45 – 10:30 | JK away from screen (asynchronous learning)/ SK in class |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Break |
| 10:45 – 11:30 | SK away from screen (asynchronous learning) JK in class |
| 11:30 – 12:15 | Lunch |
| 12:15 – 1:00 | Curriculum – all students |
| 1:00 – 1:15 | Break |
| 1:15 – 1:45 | Curriculum/ Community Building/ Wellness |
| 1:45 – 3:00 | Asynchronous learning as appropriate (2:20 – 3:00 Teacher Planning time; 1:40 – 3:00 on Fridays) |
Grades 1 to 8 – 225 minutes
Elementary distance learning
For those families who choose to have their child/children engage in Virtual Learning and not return to school in person, distance learning will be provided by qualified WCDSB Teachers with programming based on the Ontario curriculum. Teachers will provide distance learning students with approximately 300 minutes of daily learning opportunities through daily asynchronous (independent learning with online resources) and synchronous (together as a large or small group and teacher-led) learning. Students will be assessed and evaluated by teachers following Growing Success: Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting in Ontario Schools
putting an emphasis on conversations and observations in addition to the collection of student work submitted electronically or by mail.
The times indicated below include independent (asynchronous) learning which is part of a student’s day. The school day for students enrolled in Virtual Learning remains a 300-minute instructional day. Daily attendance for students is expected in Virtual Learning and will be monitored.
Sample Schedule
| Time | |
|---|---|
| 8:30 – 9:30 | Opening Community Building and Curriculum |
| 9:30 – 9:45 | Break |
| 9:45 – 10:30 | Curriculum |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Break |
| 10:45 – 11:30 | Curriculum |
| 11:30 – 12:15 | Lunch |
| 12:15 – 1:00 | Curriculum |
| 1:00 – 1:15 | Break |
| 1:15 – 1:45 | Curriculum/ Community Building/ Wellness |
| 1:45 – 3:00 | Asynchronous learning (2:20 – 3:00 Teacher Planning time; 1:40 – 3:00 on Fridays) |
Grade 9 to 12 – 225 minutes
Secondary students who elect Virtual Learning will participate in online courses within a Quadmestered schedule, to align with our Secondary Adapted model. Curriculum will follow Course Expectations as outlined in Ontario Curriculum documents. Students will be assessed and evaluated by teachers following Growing Success: Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting in Ontario Schools putting an emphasis on conversations and observations in addition to the collection of student work submitted electronically or by mail.
Synchronous instruction will include 150 minutes per course in the Quadmestered model (Students in WCDSB will be taking 2 courses for 10 weeks.) To reflect the Adapted model in our Secondary schools, students will work on a week 1/ week 2 schedule.
Sample Schedule:
| Week 1 | Week 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Morning 8:30 – 11:00 am |
Subject A 150 min Synchronous | Subject B 150 Min Synchronous |
| Afternoon 12:00 – 2:30 pm |
Subject B 75 min Synchronous plus 75 min Asynchronous learning | Subject A 75 min Synchronous plus 75 min Asynchronous learning |
The times indicated above include independent (asynchronous) learning which is part of a student’s day. The school day for students enrolled in Virtual Learning remains a 300-minute instructional day. Subject attendance for students is expected in Virtual Learning and will be monitored.