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A normal school day is still on Monday’s agenda. On this day, students should receive work and learning packets for the next three weeks. A survey is also done as to who is likely to want to use on-site supervision and educational support.
During the three weeks there will be supervision in schools, on the one hand, and “learning stations” will also be set up, on the other. On these, the tasks can be carried out in small groups with pedagogical support. Both this offer and the support can only be used by the hour.
In principle, only what has been learned should be deepened in all subjects and school levels during distance education. If it is “pedagogically justifiable and feasible”, new content can also be transmitted. The decision is up to the teachers.
Video: This is how it continues in schools
School work will be postponed
Schoolwork planned during this period will be postponed: if it cannot be carried out until the end of the semester due to a collision with other planned schoolwork, it may be canceled if a grade can be given differently (for example, through evaluation of participation). “Additional written performance evaluations”, such as tests, should only be done if such an evaluation is not possible. Cancellation of school work in final classes in high school should be avoided as much as possible.
To cushion the consequences, support programs are established in the Christmas, semester and Easter holidays, especially for schoolchildren with high learning deficits. Summer School 2021 will also be expanded. The range of remedial instruction is also expanding, partly on a voluntary basis, but also on a mandatory basis.
In addition to the around 11,000 laptops and tablets delivered so far, the Ministry of Education plans to purchase additional devices. The digital school portal (PoDS), the portal of the distance education service, Digi4school or the online eduthek of the Ministry of Education and the Edutube portal that operates will be used.
“Carry on differently than we left off”
Even after the planned return of students to face-to-face classes on December 7, school operations will be different than before. “We will continue in a different way than we stopped, but we will continue,” Education Minister Heinz Faßmann (ÖVP) told a news conference on Saturday night. Among other things, there will be a mask requirement for pupils from the age of ten in the classroom, autonomous shift work from the school should be possible.
Supervision and support for learning
Starting Tuesday there will be supervision and learning support in the schools. This can be used by all students (also part-time), without restriction to children of parents in systemically important professions. Especially those children who do not have the necessary infrastructure or parental support at home must come to schools, says Faßmann. Expect more children than in the spring; this would probably be a “double digit percentage in the low range”.
Kindergartens remain open
There are also no restrictions on the use of childcare services in kindergartens. The decision on this would be made by individual households, Faßmann said. However, an appeal was made to parents to only send children to kindergarten who really need care. However, it would not be necessary to provide any proof. However, the compulsory kindergarten is lifted for the last year of kindergarten.
Video: Heinz Faßmann’s press release
“New fabric only in dimensions”
In distance learning, students “shouldn’t be overwhelmed with new tasks,” Faßmann asked the teachers. In the next three weeks, the focus should be on digging into what has already been learned. “New material should only be transported in moderation.” Even after returning to face-to-face classes, there shouldn’t be too much school work and tests. “You can also do a reliable performance appraisal, for example by evaluating work.”
After 14 days of distance schooling, you are sure that the number of infections has decreased, Faßmann emphasized. Therefore, it was important for him to name December 7 as the specific reopening date, even if it is a window day. “I would like to avoid a state of limbo like in spring.”
Faßmann is also convinced that distance education will work better this time. Technical requirements have improved and learning platforms are part of everyday school life.
Distance education will be used even more in universities. The “normal” courses would be held remotely, but laboratory or artistic lessons would still be possible on site under strict hygiene conditions.
“Security First”
There are no explicit criticisms of school closings from top student and teacher representatives. “We have to do everything possible to control the dramatically growing number of infections,” said the chairman of the ARGE professors at GÖD, Paul Kimberger, (FCG). Federal school spokeswoman Alexandra Bosek also said in a broadcast that student safety must take priority.
“Every area of society has to do its part,” Kimberger said, including schools. A transition day will be in the program on Monday and homeschooling starting Tuesday. The details and the possible margin of school autonomy would be clarified in the next few hours or days. “The compulsory schools have never been closed; of course they will also remain open this time, especially for the children of key staff. We also have the option of bringing small groups and ensuring continuity with the learning stations. I think that’s something. good”.
“Student safety should be a priority,” Bosek said. “The assurance that our health will not be in danger and the assurance that educational standards will not fall.” The education gap that arose before summer break shouldn’t widen further. “The high-quality online lessons offer many opportunities to teach the new material and catch up with that of the last semester.” To do this, however, it is also necessary to have properly trained teachers: it is even more important to continue to insist on the mandatory completion of digital training.
