Mandoulides Schools

Distance learning - 4th phase - beginning: 04/05/2020

Εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευση - 4η φάση - Έναρξη 04/05/2020

Εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευση - 4η φάση - Έναρξη 04/05/2020

Distance learning - 4th phase - beginning: 04/05/2020

Distance learning started out as a new challenge at Mandoulides Schools and then it became an opportunity that we all took immediately in order to teach, be taught, collaborate and adapt, always guided by the need to maintain our students’ active participation in knowledge.

It took serious study, organization and a close cooperation among principals, department heads, teachers and administration. The lesson plans and tasks were adapted to the new reality and in some cases they were brand new, as they were based on the digital tools that would ensure the participation of students, their undivided attention and above all their interaction and feedback.

The transition to digital classrooms has been developed in 4 different phases so that students and teachers could gradually familiarize themselves with the new learning environment and realize the specifics and requirements of distance learning.

The gradual adaptation to the new reality is, after all, the duty of a responsible school that respects its reputation and all those who have been trusting it for 41 years now.

The 4 phases of Mandoulides Schools distance learning

 

1st phase  Beginning: 11/03 - 22/03
Asynchronous education

From the first day of the suspension of the operation of schools for precautionary reasons, on 11 March, 2020, we implemented an asynchronous education program, focusing on the main subjects at the beginning and then expanding it to almost all subjects of the curriculum.

Asynchronous education was not limited to posting educational material on the digital platform my mandoulides, but depending on the age of the students and the usability, we also used the Microsoft Teams application, which allows assignments with certain deadlines that we observed with religious reverence in order to maintain the discipline and consistency that characterizes us. The application also provides the possibility for parents to be informed about the progress of the students as well as the possibility of feedback in combination with the self-correction that it cultivates.

Our goal in this phase was the daily involvement of students with lessons, the review of important units of the curriculum and mainly the maintenance of contact with the school and the teachers.

2nd phase  Beginning: 23/03 - 05/04
Synchronous and asynchronous education

Very quickly, within 7 days, on 23 March, 2020, we proceeded to online lessons, in real time at all levels, via the Microsoft Teams application, giving priority to the students of 12th Grade and to the main subjects of each level initially, that is the subjects that are tested at the end of the year in the Junior – Senior High School and the basic subjects in Kindergarten and Elementary School, with a duration of 40 - 45 minutes teaching time.

The teachers used their know-how and experience, and in a very short time covered a huge distance, worked closely together and managed to be close to their students again in order to offer them the regularity and communication that they all needed. Digital classrooms were quickly created, students reunited with their teachers and classmates, and normality came back into everyone's lives.

Classes in synchronous learning, homework in asynchronous learning, additional educational material on the digital platform and school life began to get back on track again.

Anxiety made way for excitement about the new reality and uncertainty made way for great numbers of participationery quickly, within 7 days, on 23 March, 2020, we proceeded to online lessons, in real time at all levels, via the Microsoft Teams application, giving priority to the students of 12th Grade and to the main subjects of each level initially, that is the subjects that are tested at the end of the year in the Junior - Senior High School and the basic subjects in Kindergarten and Elementary School, with a duration of 40 - 45 minutes teaching time.

The teachers used their know-how and experience, and in a very short time covered a huge distance, worked closely together and managed to be close to their students again in order to offer them the regularity and communication that they all needed. Digital classrooms were quickly created, students reunited with their teachers and classmates, and normality came back into everyone's lives.

Classes in synchronous learning, homework in asynchronous learning, additional educational material on the digital platform and school life began to get back on track again.

Anxiety made way for excitement about the new reality and uncertainty made way for great numbers of participation.

3rd phase  Beginning: 6/4 - 03/055
Synchronous and asynchronous education

From Monday, 6 April, 2020, the Schools expanded the program of synchronous distance learning to students of all levels. More hours were added, and the program was enriched taking into account the separate needs and skills of each age and student, the time students are allowed to be in front of a computer screen and the coordination of the program of synchronous distance education (teaching) and asynchronous distance education (homework).

At the same time, the program of asynchronous education was expanded too, as homework is always an important parameter in students’ learning, their daily involvement and the consolidation of important knowledge. As the review of the taught material was completed, we proceeded with the delivery of new material necessary for the progress of the students and the attendance of the program of the coming school year.

Students and teachers quickly managed to find common ground and kept communicating and creating on a daily basis in real time in digital classrooms, but also at different times in assignments of asynchronous education, video lessons, projects, STREAM activities, simulations of experiments and virtual tours of international museums.

4th phase  Beginning: 04/05
Synchronous and asynchronous education

Examining carefully and methodically every step of the way and while following developments around the world on a daily basis, we are going on from Monday, 4 May, 2020, to a further expansion of distance education with a greater emphasis on foreign languages ​​(English, French, German) and examinations for foreign language certificates, but also on Greek language and the preparation required in the Senior High School for the Panhellenic Exams.

As we reach the end of the school year, we hope our students keep in mind that the school and teachers have been by their side during this unusual time and provided them with anything they needed in order to reach and rise above their academic goals.

The distance learning program is illustrated as follows per grade, it covers most of a typical school day and all the lessons on the timetable, and utilizes a number of digital tools.

See the new program of synchronous education that starts on Monday, 4 May, 2020 (the programs have already been sent to the students):

  • Day Care Center
  • Kindergarten
  • Elementary School
  • Junior High School
  • 10th - 11th Grade
  • 12th Grade

During all this time of the unprecedented health crisis and while all schools were closed, both teachers and administrative staff were able to:

  • Remain at the disposal of parents and students, answer questions, solve any problems, mainly of a technical nature, communicate on a daily basis about the students’ progress.
  • Carry out the review simulation tests for senior high school students with almost 100% participation.
  • Continue online the courses for the examinations of international universities through the Studies Abroad program.
  • Meet the special needs of students (oral testing in Panhellenic Exams, exams for foreign language certificates).
  • Organize online meetings, webinars, for the students and parents of 12th Grade in view of the Panhellenic Exams.
  • Schedule online meetings, webinars, for parents of all levels in order to support them during the pandemic.
  • Implement online the Special Program “Create Your Matrix: Code H3 I control my mind, I control my reality” for selected students of 9th and 10th Grade.
  • Complete the program of experiential school vocational guidance “100mentors”.
  • Participate in Friendly Online Debate Games through the Microsoft Teams application.
  • Connect members of the choir and orchestra, both current students and alumni, and prepare “artistic surprises” for the young and older alike.
  • Search all over Greece for Mandoulides Schools graduates, who were members of the theatrical group, and get them to re-read Aesop’s fables to our little students.

As far as the students’ return to school is concerned -11 May for 12th Grade and 18 May for 7th - 11th Grade- we will be posting new announcements.

We would like to thank our students, teachers and parents for their trust, enthusiasm and high participation rate, which reaches 98% in our distance learning programs, and hope that we will all come out of this adventure strong and healthy.

 

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