There is still much to be debate about the end of snow days. While some people feel upset by the idea of snow day, others believe they are a valuable tradition that should be kept. We'll be discussing the costs of remote learning and their impact on families with lower incomes.
New York City's plan to abandon snow days
New York City Department of Education is changing its policy and will no longer allow students to remain home during snow days. Instead, they will offer online learning and virtual classes. The change will take effect in the 2021-22 school year. This plan has its difficulties. The city's power grid might be affected by severe weather. Also, schools could lose Internet access.
The decision was criticized across the country as a drastic measure. In the past, snowdays meant late sleeping and playing in the powder snow. Snowdays this year will be rarer. David C. Banks from NYC School explained that the new policy will allow students access to school even when it is snowing.
Remote learning is not the only option
Remote learning has been a growing trend in school districts. The New York Department of Education published a note this year regarding remote learning. While many school districts already have switched to online classroom instruction for their students, others are unsure about how remote learning will function on snow days.
Some school districts have chosen to not hold traditional snow days, while others choose to use flexible instructional days. The School District of Philadelphia, for example, didn't hold traditional snow days for the 2019-20 school year, noting that the inclement weather shouldn't be a reason to cancel classes. And in Neshaminy, Pennsylvania, superintendent Mark Reilly said that snow days are an important rite of passage for kids, but he didn't support a permanent switch to remote learning.
Impact on lower-income families
Many lower-income families have had to struggle to meet their basic needs because of the recent Northeast snowstorm. In addition to the cost of supplies and fuel, three to four days off from school can throw a wrench in budgets already stretched thin. Some families may find that they cannot attend school, which can lead to food insecurity. This is especially true if you are a lower-income family that relies on food assistance to get by.
Researchers from the National Bureau of Economic Research discovered that many children skip school in bad weather, and thus miss out on lessons. Teachers make up for lost material by re-inforcing lesson plans, even if students return to school after a snowday.
Cost of remote learning during a snowday
Switching to remote learning on a snow day is something that schools must consider. Schools are encouraged to offer this option in Connecticut for several reasons. Schools can offer remote learning in case of power cuts or snowstorms. Remote learning is an option in these cases. Some districts like Old Saybrook are contemplating a move to this type of learning. Remote learning gives students the option of choosing their time and place. This allows school districts to avoid expensive and time-consuming scenarios for parents.
Although the cost of switching to remote education on a snowday can be high, it allows schools to avoid additional expenses that could result from closing their doors. Schools have frequently cancelled classes due to snow days in the past to be able meet their 180 day mandate. Remote learning will enable schools to meet their 180-day mandate. Some people do not like this.
FAQ
How can I decide which eLearning platform I want to use?
Today, there are many eLearning platforms. Some are completely free, others more expensive.
It is important to ask yourself questions before you make a decision about which option is best for you.
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Do you want to make your own learning materials. You have many options to create your eLearning courses using free tools. These include Adobe Captivate, Articulate Storyline, Lectora, iSpring Suite, and Camtasia.
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Do you offer ready-made courses in eLearning? There are many companies that sell pre-packaged courses. These courses cost between $20 and $100. Mindjet (Edusoft), and Thinkful are three of the most highly-respected.
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Are you looking for a mix of both? Many people find that using a combination of company materials and their own material produces the best results.
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Which option would be best for you? It depends on your situation. It all depends on your situation. Once you are comfortable with eLearning, however, you might want to purchase a pre-designed course.
What is eLearning and how does it work?
E-learning can be used to learn online for individuals, institutions, and organizations. It is a method to transmit information and instruct over electronic media like computers, mobile devices and other digital technology.
Because this type of learning uses technology rather than physical material, the term "e" has been used.
E-learning does not have to be done in a traditional classroom setting. It can also be done at home, on the move, or anywhere else that has internet access.
What are the key challenges preventing e-learning success?
The main challenge for e-Learning is not technical but cultural. It's about people, and how they interact.
We need to understand what motivates them and how they learn best. We also need to know what makes them feel comfortable learning online.
We need to find ways to make it as natural and effortless as possible.
What does eLearning mean?
E-learning is a time-consuming process that requires significant effort. It also requires an understanding of how people learn. Learning experiences should be designed to meet the needs of learners.
The content must be informative and engaging. Visual aids like images, animations, videos, and interactive elements should be included in learning materials.
E-learning should be engaging and fun. It should place a strong emphasis on motivation for learners. It should provide feedback and encouragement to learners who are hard at work towards achieving their goals.
Statistics
- In the 2017 ATD research report Next-Generation E-Learning, 89% of those surveyed said that changes in e-learning require their staff to update or add new skills. (td.org)
- Reliability, validity, and descriptive statistics (The Gambia). Empty CellCRAVEMeanSDACBICOEEHABHEHMPEPOPVSESITRAC0.770.635.080.842) in behavioral intention to use e-learning in The Gambia (53%) and the UK (52%), (sciencedirect.com)
- E-learning is intended to enhance individual-level performance, and therefore intend to use of e-learning should be predicted by a learner's preference for self-enhancement (Veiga, Floyd, & Dechant, 2001). (sciencedirect.com)
- Interestingly, students' participation in online training grew by 142% in the past year alone, indicating how quality education and up-to-date teaching pedagogy are preferred by learners and working professionals to upskill across India. (economictimes.indiatimes.com)
External Links
How To
Why is e-learning so important?
E-Learning allows companies to engage their employees at all levels. They learn from each other and from experts. This allows them to stay competitive and gains valuable knowledge.
E-Learning provides employees with the chance to interact with each others, creating a sense o community.
E-Learning has become increasingly popular because of its low cost and high efficiency. Employers have come to realize that they don’t need additional staff to train their employees.
The following are some of these benefits of elearning:
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Low Cost – There is no need for you to purchase expensive equipment, such as projectors or computers. Access to the Internet is all that's required.
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E-Learning is more efficient than traditional training methods.
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Flexibility- Employees are able to access eLearning anytime and anywhere. They do not need to attend class in order to receive training.
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Modification - E-learning can be customized in any format. It can be presented in any manner that suits the needs of the learners.
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It's self-paced. The learner can do it when they wish without worrying about what grade will be given.
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Interactive - E-learning allows learners to interact with each other through discussions and polls.
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Accessible - Anyone can access E-learning if they have an internet connection.
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Interactivity – E-learning promotes interaction between students, teachers and other learners. This makes learning exciting and fun.
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Relevance - E-learning is relevant to the learner's current job. This means that he/she will be able to apply what he/she learns immediately after completing it.
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Social Learning - E-learning enables learners to share ideas and experiences with each other. This fosters peer learning and collaboration between them.
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Collaboration – E-learning allows learners the opportunity to work together. This improves communication skills and teamwork.
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Personalized Learning-E-learning allows users to tailor their learning experience. This makes it more fun and engaging.
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Online Communities - E-learning enables people to create virtual communities. This gives them a sense belonging.
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Peer Feedback--E-learning gives learners feedback based on their performance. This encourages them to improve their performance.
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Repetition - E-learning can always be repeated.
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Portability - E-learning content can be accessed from different devices like laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.
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Scalability – E-learning doesn't require a lot of space nor manpower.
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Multimedia Content- E-learning makes multimedia content available to enhance learning.
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Digital Library – E-learning provides digital libraries for learners that can store their materials. These can be easily retrieved later.
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Mobile Learning – Now you can deliver E-learning via your mobile phone or tablet.
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Adaptive Learning - E-learning adapts to the individual learner's ability level.
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Gamification: E-learning includes game elements in the learning process. This enhances motivation and engagement.
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Virtual Classrooms – Elearning provides virtual classrooms for teachers and learners where they can communicate with one another.
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Realtime Communication – E-learning allows for real-time communication between learners and teachers.
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Remote Learning-E-learning is conducted remotely by both the student and the teacher.
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Distance Education-E-learning is also known as E-learning, and it's because it lasts for a long time.
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Open Source Learning: E-learning is based on open-source software, so everyone can access and use the same material.