What we’ve learned in 2 months of online school

At Avenor College, March 13th marked the moment when learning moved from classes full of energy, curiosity and emotion to the online, artificial and unknown environment. What has followed over the last two months feels completely different to what we may have initially expected.

To get from the caution and skepticism of the beginning, to the carefully developed learning plans for each key stage we embarked on an emotional roller coaster and it has taken all of our imagination, creativity and skills to keep it on our pathway. And do you know how we did it? Together. 

Pupils-teachers-parents-colleagues from all departments of the school and nursery.

“We’ve learned a lot from each other during these two atypical months and we once again understood the value of teamwork,” says Ramona Mucenic, Upper Primary Coordinator.

We invite you to discover in the text below what were the ups and downs of our journey of reinventing the learning process.

Avenor College: Two months ago, when we started distance learning at Avenor, we knew it would be a difficult and ever-changing process. What are the most valuable lessons you, the teachers, have learned in these 2 months of online school?

Cristina Farcaș, Nursery Educational Coordinator: Distance learning at Nursery was inconceivable to our teachers until this spring. In recent years Avenor has struggled to be an example of good practice in our society for a differentiated, applied learning, without worksheets and limiting standardisations, based on the individual needs of children, in constant contact with nature and especially a learning style dependent on interaction with others.

The beginning was not easy, we were very cautious and skeptical about the methods we would use to continue learning. The pressure of educators no longer being able to make the daily emotional connection with children added to this state of uncertainty. That’s why we, the adults, have chosen to take it step by step and, in our own way, to continue to take care of the children to make sure that we provide them with what they need.

Now, the updated version of the Nursery Learning Plan works for almost all of our children. It is a version that primarily offers variety and that allows us to keep most of the educational values ​​we believe in.

We have learned that we can adapt quickly to changes we couldn’t even imagine, although the children have demonstrated again that they are better than us at this. We managed to be creative and create a learning plan that even in these conditions is varied enough to meet individual needs and allows us to continue differentiated learning. We have learned that in our homes there are infinite resources to initiate educational activities. We acknowledged once more that the best way to help a child is to team up with their family. And we’ve also learned that audio messages on WhatsApp are an excellent way to replicate the short and useful conversations we had at Nursery about different activities’ details and children’s progress.

We have learned that we can adapt quickly to changes we couldn’t even imagine, although the children have demonstrated
this time again that they are better than us at this. We realised once more that the best way to help a child is to team up with his family.

Mirela Voicu, Lower Primary Coordinator: We have learned to adapt quickly to new ways of working remotely. Learning continued beyond the school space, with accessible digital tools and a lot of determination from teachers. We have created digital classes and staff rooms.

An important lesson we’ve learned during this period was that of patience, of the fact that we managed to stay connected to each other (teachers-students-parents). We’ve learned to be honest and ask for help whenever a challenge arose. We’ve learned to be students again and move on.

But I think what we’ve learned most is to enjoy every success, ours or those around us; we rejoiced every morning when we saw our children again, we rejoiced when we could be of help or when we were helped, we are glad that we are together, connected.

Ramona Mucenic, Upper Primary Coordinator: After surpassing the initial “shock”, when we all acknowledged that we will not return to school in the near future, we quickly realised that we must use all our imagination and creativity to reinvent learning. We had mixed feelings: the fear of the unknown, the feeling of alienation, enthusiasm, the desire to overcome barriers, the joy of daily meetings with children, even virtual ones.

We’ve learned a lot from each other during these two atypical months and we have once again understood the value of teamwork. The Avenor TEAM has proven that it is very well welded, strong and able to face any challenge.

Here are the most valuable lessons we’ve learned:

Children are very good at using technology – we, the teachers, have learned from our students many extremely useful “tricks”; in other words, in some cases, the roles have been reversed.

We found joy in the little things: a smile, a pet occasionally participating in online lessons, a birthday party via ZOOM and the examples can go on.

We further appreciate those things that we used to consider “normal”: meetings with friends, walks in the park, the frolic in the school yard.

Georgiana Socoliu, Middle School Coordinator: The most important thing is that we have managed to face the challenges. Even though it was an emotional roller coaster, together we managed to organise online learning and meet the needs of children. Certainly, the key word of this period is “together”. The collaboration of all (students-teachers-parents-colleagues from all departments) was extremely valuable in this process of continuous learning and adaptation. We proved once again that we are a strong community, but also generous, we are open to communication and collaboration with other schools, willing to share our practices and methods.

Andrew Sutton, High School Coordinator: The most valuable lessons was how quickly people can adapt to new approaches and the willingness they have shown to embrace the challenge.

Certainly the key word of this period is “together.” The collaboration of all (students-teachers-parents-colleagues from all departments) has been extremely valuable in this process of continuous learning and adaptation.

A.C.: How have the children adapted and what have they discovered and have you discovered about them in this new context?

Cristina Farcaș: Children managed to replace the hugs with moments when they show us their favorite toy, or new furniture, or their room. This was their first reaction. They showed us toys, furniture, and their mothers for about two weeks.

It was difficult for them to speak and move within a radius of one square meter. Not everyone has succeeded yet! Many times the teachers are left in front of a blank screen and wait for the child to finish explaining and pointing out something in a corner of the room that they cannot see.

Now some of them know how to approach the screen to hear louder and even show signs or objects by bringing them closer to the camera of the device.

It is interesting how they have differentiated according to their learning style in children who are more present in group sessions, children who prefer individual meetings or children who only initiate learning using the resources from the educational package received at home (we’ve learned about this from photos sent by parents).

Mirela Voicu: Children immediately adapted to the new situation, the use of technology being familiar to them. We could see that some of them are much more at ease and open to dialogue, being in an environment familiar to them. However, children often express a desire to return to the classroom, because they miss their colleagues, teachers, desks, personal space.

Ramona Mucenic: We have quickly adapted to the new conditions, always wanting to stay connected to each other no matter what. We really miss the physical presence, the hugs, playing in the school yard. Thus, the children’s rooms have been transformed into learning spaces, gyms, creative workshops or music studios. We had, of course, some difficulties (mainly technical difficulties), but we overcame them with the invaluable help of the parents and of our colleagues from the IT department.

Georgiana Socoliu: Children have adapted much better than adults. In the first weeks they showed enthusiasm and impatience, it was something they had never experienced before, and they are always much more open when a new challenge arises. In order to maintain their curiosity, we also had to adapt, to work on the weekly learning plans for each key stage. The constant feedback they gave us helped. 

As we move forward in time, the social need increases, children tell us more and more often about their desire to be close to colleagues and teachers and the fact that they really miss school – something they have admitted has surprised them!

Andrew Sutton: At High School level, the transition was fairly easy, the young adults are used to technology. They have enjoyed the opportunity to manage their own schedules, many of them grew up quickly to a new level of independence and responsibility.

Children’s rooms have transformed into learning spaces, gyms, creative workshops or music studios. We had, of course, some difficulties (mainly technical difficulties), but we overcame them with the invaluable help of the parents and of our colleagues from IT.

A.C.: What will happen in online learning by the end of the school year?

Cristina Farcaș: Together with the class teachers children will browse through the activities proposed in the Distance Learning Pack to revise what they have learned this year. All children will be exposed to spoken English through sessions with the native teacher. Music, physical development and personal development activities will bring about a relaxed summer atmosphere in June. These will be completed by the special events like the traditional Children’s Day, Cultural Celebration Day, Learning Expeditions and the Summer Show.

Mirela Voicu: We will continue to progress, to develop, to introduce in our lessons interactive activities that will keep children engaged. We are already planning the events that will take place in June, the PBL final project, Summer Show, Learning Expedition.

Ramona Mucenic: Until the end of this school year, unfortunately we will not be able to return to school. We will miss those activities and events that have already become traditions in the history of Avenor: Cultural Celebration Day, the end of the school year festivities and the Summer Shows. We promise to be very creative and find alternative ways to celebrate together. We are already planning some surprises, we will be back soon with news :-).

Georgiana Socoliu: We are adapting and trying to organize all actions and events online. We continue learning, we are in the process of assessment, we are preparing the exams for the 8th grade, we are making plans for the events of June, Summer Show and graduation ceremonies.

Andrew Sutton: As I have briefly mentioned in the High School Learning Plan, exam lessons will continue, grade 10 and 11 will progress to the next stage of learning beginning their A Level studies early.  All students will be enrolled on a series of workshops to optimise learning and Grade 12 will learn life skills and connect with alumni to help prepare for starting university.