BREAKING NEWS: pandemic ravages the world as countries shut their borders and enforce stay in place orders.
Three months ago, you might have thought this was referring to movies such as Contagion or Outbreak. Throughout the years, Hollywood has fantasized about the big picture of how the world might handle a pandemic such as COVID-19, but few of us have actually planned how we would keep the world running and our students learning.
While many of us are still in shock about the sudden change to our “normal,” LCA’s Information Technology team took the initiative to begin planning back in January for “if” the school doors would be closed. Holly Godfrey, LCA’s IT Director, began to work with her team to assess the areas of LCA’s already implemented one-to-one, 21st century learning to see what needed to be tweaked for students and teachers if distance learning became more than a simple snow day.
When recalling the transitioning process, Holly said, “As March began and it became more obvious that it was going to be a question of ‘when’ and not ‘if’, we began turning on the tools that we identified to assist with remote teaching. We began communicating those tools to the LCA team and training them on how to use technology, such as Google Meets.”
Because of the IT team’s proactive efforts, teachers, students, and staff were prepared for the historic day the school doors were closed.
Back in 2010, LCA began their one-to-one initiative, which has grown to become an effective system providing 6th-12th graders with standardized devices. These devices use an online learning management platform with content filtering, monitoring, and management software, allowing students to continue working from home in a controlled, safe environment.
For LCA’s Upper School, this means that teachers have the autonomy to adapt technology to meet the needs of the students and lessons. Just like a regular day in the classroom, teachers have the liberty to make each lesson unique.
“This is absolutely not the way you want to finish out the school year, but LCA has prepared the teachers and the students so well that the transition has been great!” LCA’s Middle School History teacher, Karen Wages said. “It could have been so much worse, but because of the support from our IT department, administration, and other teachers, it has been pretty smooth. I am still able to conduct my class in ways that I would if we were meeting in person. There's some little changes, but the students are doing awesome!”
All this being said, what happens to the Lower School students who have yet to be a part of the one-to-one initiative? As early as Pre-K, LCA’s students are exposed to tech through classes such as STEM, Technology, and everyday classroom projects. Along with this preparation, LCA’s LS team continued to partner with parents so students could learn how to complete assignments independently at home.
Staci Williams, parent of three LCA students in lower school and middle school commented on LCA’s preparedness: “I’ve been thoroughly impressed with LCA’s response to distance learning. Communication from administrators and teachers has been frequent and concise, yet certainly not excessive. Our educators have communicated with our children on a regular schedule and have been available to answer all questions. They’ve also reached out to me to extend compassion and assistance as I have been thrust into teaching - something that I was not prepared for. The lessons are challenging, and are stretching our boys academically, no differently than during class time. We are thankful for LCA’s commitment to education, social and mental well-being, and spiritual growth during our distance learning, and always.”
So what does distance learning look like at LCA during this unprecedented time? For Pre-K, students can use Google Meet to connect with teachers and students for activities such as show-and-tell. Band students might use this same technology to practice music with classmates. Math teachers use websites such as Khan Academy to teach lessons while Science teachers create virtual dissection assignments. Cancelled field trips? Not a problem, as LCA adjusted the 8th grade trip to Washington DC to a virtual experience complete with online tours of national landmarks, a team-oriented scavenger hunt, and watching the movie National Treasure to end the day. The middle school team even delivered the trip t-shirts to the students so they could wear them on the trip!
COVID-19 has not only provided opportunities of professional, academic, and relational growth, but it has also strengthened LCA’s belief that education is a partnership with families. Although the LCA family has been scattered from their campus home, their bond is stronger than ever.
“One thing about it, we will never be the same.” Holly said. “Not as students, teachers, staff, or a school. We are all learning, growing, and fine tuning our skills. We continue to be open to adapt and change not in ways that change what is taught (a wonderful academic education through a Biblical worldview), but how it is communicated. We continue to use a creative filter as we seek to make the most of this season and opportunity we have been given. We are LCA!”
We are One Lion.
