(P) Learning is ON(line) at International School of Bucharest

In response to school closures caused by COVID-19, ISB turned to online learning solutions for the students to limit the disruption of education. At the moment, ISB is providing e-learning for all subjects (including PE, PSHE, Music and Art) for all students, from Early Years to Year 13. Using the IT technology our staff and students have already been familiar with, our teachers are able to continue the interactive learning sustained by live video, chat, file share, screen share, screen recording and annotation.

Timetables were shared with the students who are expected to be online at 9.00am. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each lesson and teachers make use of formative assessments using online tools whenever necessary. Each lesson is 40 minutes long, and there are 20-minute breaks between lessons.

During 'Independent learning time' in Primary school, teachers, children do homework or other work that was set by teachers.

Online education tools have been tested and practised, and all the teachers have received training by the Technology Leaders in school. Guidelines for safe-use, safeguarding and wellbeing were shared with both the students and the staff prior to the start of the e-Learning programme which will continue throughout the school closure.

ISB community teachers, students and parents have already been successfully using online resources, applications and platforms for the past few years. A multitude of factors have been considered before going online: from selecting the most relevant tools to ensure inclusion of the distance learning programmes, data protection and privacy to planning the daily study schedule.

“We were very pleased to see excellent attendance and to see that students were fully engaged in their lessons. I thank our students, parents, teachers and support staff who have all worked together to make this a success. In general, I was very pleased with the first-day results. I also had the opportunity to virtually observe some of the sessions, thank you to those who have hosted me in their lessons. ISB is aware of its social responsibility to contribute to the community so we can go over this challenging period together. We are happy to share our experience and know-how and offer consultation to other schools, if needed” said Mr. Sinan Kosak, the Director of ISB.

This new method of schooling will be a new opportunity for the schools to strengthen the connection within their community. ISB created an email address where parents, staff and teachers are very welcome to send their feedback.

“From a personal point of view I have seen a massive amount of collaboration, adaptability and resilience in difficult circumstances this week and I thank you all for your efforts.” Anthony O’Brien, Deputy Head Secondary School.