Online learning has been going on for a while now since the advent of COVID-19. For many teachers around the world this did not make them put down their tools of teaching. In fact, it has been the epitome of dynamic teaching styles: the realisation of creativity.

At the TIS Primary Campus, the teachers have dedicated their full time combatting and coping with teaching using some unique strategies to reach the students. It has not been easy for the parents, students and teacher. We still don’t know when schools will re-open again or when we will return to our normal lives. We are optimistic that all will be well and we shall be back on our feet and the situation will be as normal. However, we have put in an effort to make learning here effective. As teachers we have this responsibility of making our lessons effective by equipping ourselves with resources to be used before the classes. These have include PowerPoint slides, Word documents, video clips, engaging the learners with projects, the use of online interactive tools, online reading resources like Epic!, interactive online games, puzzles and quizzes.

At the TIS Primary School Campus, we have strived to maintain our levels of expectations with very good understanding that the circumstances may not be the same. We have put in place structures for all subject areas to be catered, not forgetting the multilingual classes (Twi, and Ewe). The single subject lessons drama/dance, sign-language and visual arts have likewise been catered for. Creatively, the facilitators have found suitable online platforms to get these rolling.

There has been a lot of anxiety from the parents on how their children participate in the online class. Please ……. just relax! This is not only with the parents but teachers as well. It is a whole new experience which we never knew would reach this level by now. We have made it and still going strong to make it happen to both the learning community. The e-learning has opened a new mindset on how teaching can be explored by the community. We, at TIS Primary School, want to use this as a learning opportunity.

Communication has been paramount to effective online learning. We have open systems where the parents are able to contact as by using direct phone calls, texting, WhatsApp, mailing and not forgetting the ManageBac communication system. We have made it our responsibility to reach out to all the students and parents so as to empathise with them and offer solutions in case of any frustrations.

It is not the teacher who is the enemy. It is not the parents who are enemy. It is not the data or the Wi-Fi which is the enem. It is not the content which is the enemy, and it is not the submission of our studentss work which is the enemy. The enemy is the Coronavirus pandemic that has made all this to happen and all these are challenges which we did not expect to happen. The PYP wishes all students and parents the best as we are trying our hardest and expecting the moral support from our dearest parents.

Early Years Learners Missing Face-to-Face Interaction

The doors of every school across the country are still closed because of the ban on public gatherings and the need to observe social distancing protocols, to protect the young ones amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In the midst of our changed education landscape, our teachers and students continue to meet the challenges of virtual learning. This week the early years want to focus on what they have missed about not being face-to-face in our Primary School environment.

Shika, “ I always want to go to school. My everyday anthem is Dad when will this coronavirus go away?”
She is missing, Ms. Angela, Ms. Agatha, Ms. Michelle, Ms. Margaret and Uncle Felix. “I miss playing on the playground; eating from the school’s cafeteria; I also miss my school and classroom.

Here are clips of some early years Learners and this is what they have to say.
https://vimeo.com/415553471
https://vimeo.com/415559814
https://vimeo.com/415822212
https://vimeo.com/415822257