Salesian College Preparatory in Richmond is reporting success in the first week of using its distance learning program, Schoology.
The program launched Tuesday as schools closed in compliance with the coronavirus-related shelter-in-place order. After a half-day of faculty training occurred the previous Friday, students “logged in on Tuesday morning, teachers took attendance, and teachers and students then engaged with lesson content virtually,” according to school.
Schoology allows teachers to introduce lessons, video conference with students, and move through the curriculum in the final quarter of the school year.
There were some initial obstacles to overcome, from glitches such as camera and audio issues to navigating conference apps and dealing with various home Wi-Fi problems. But the school’s leadership overall lauded the progress made in the first week of virtual learning.
“It was exciting to see how students and teachers problem solved, completed class activities, took quizzes, worked through virtual labs, and turned in written assignments,” said WIlliam Heidenfeldt, Salesian’s faculty representative.
Teachers experimented with new teaching tools such as Google Meet, Zoom Conference and Duet Display, according to school.
Distance learning will continue through at least April 8 and school officials “are committed to do what is necessary to ensure that our students complete all college preparatory requirements,” said Assistant Principal Brian Swanson.
