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Virtual Learning Environment

This is how we do it during challenging times

During extraordinary times, extraordinary measures need to be taken by the regional leader in primary and secondary education. International College (IC), with two campuses in Beirut and Ain Aar, relies heavily on learning management systems specifically Google Classroom, Moodle, and Seesaw to enhance communication and provide real-time content and feedback during the most recent school closures. Teachers work diligently to provide a variety of personalized and differentiated academic content, ranging from screencast presentations, flipped classrooms, discussion boards, online quizzes, and other interactive elements that not only accommodate diverse learning styles, but also inspire students to learn about the subject matter while fostering independent learning skills.


IC’s Virtual Learning Environment started with blogs and wikis in 2006 and
was then empowered with the NESA Virtual School initiative that introduced Moodle as an all-college LMS in 2010. Over the past ten years, Moodle has provided a great solution for connecting IC with students and parents during emergency closures and it allowed teachers - who were and continue to be heavily trained in the latest technology - to teach in a blended learning approach. With the adoption of G Suite in 2017 and full K-12 implementation in 2018, Google Classroom quickly became the preferred tool for interaction between teachers and students. It provides a simple yet powerful collaboration platform that raises the level of interaction to higher standards using audio, video, and video conferencing using Google Hangouts. The camera-friendly Google Classroom app simplifies the submitting of assignments for marking and allows teachers to provide timely feedback to students. Students only need their mobile phones to stay connected with their teachers insuring smooth teacher-student communication.

Google Classroom uses the Google apps, namely Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms and Sites to present a comprehensive and dynamic Virtual Learning Environment. The differentiated approaches to learning offered by the Google G Suite allow teachers to deliver content and collect data from formative assessments. Students write using Docs, tabulate data using Sheets, create interactive and visual presentations using Slides, take quizzes and assessments using Forms, and show skill and content mastery by creating websites through Google Sites. The Google platform enables parents, teachers, and students to communicate, comment on academic activities and provide feedback in a streamlined, effective way. Google Classroom ensures that students and teachers alike remain organized by providing reminders and updates about assignments and homework both in email form and as calendar notifications.

IC proved its readiness in the face of social unrest and ensured that students were able to access learning material, and teachers were able to deliver content in a timely and efficient manner when during the October 2019 revolution, Google Classroom was put to the test. During a two-week closure, the administration had to figure out a way to continue the daily operations of teaching and learning during the prolonged closure. Amazingly, learning continued smoothly throughout the turmoil. Google Classroom allowed for asynchronous learning - meaning that the students accessed content that the teacher had posted, viewed it at an appropriate time, completed the activity and submitted it.

Students were able to complete the work at their own pace and at their own time. This method of online learning allowed sufficient time for the students to work with study materials and come out with meaningful questions and answers. While most of the content was created to be completed in an asynchronous environment, many teachers set blocks of time per day when they would be available for real-time communication with students and parents. Using Google Hangouts, teachers were able to hold live mini-lessons with students in real-time, from the comfort and safety of their homes. Naturally, teachers were flexible with deadlines.

 

The ability to collaborate and communicate meant that while the process of delivering content may differ from the traditional classroom setting, teachers were creative and diligent in keeping students in a learning mode. While some teachers and parents needed some assistance, the readiness of trained educators to teach in this Virtual Learning Environment kept all students motivated and engaged.

While the delivery system is constantly changing as technology evolves, it clearly demonstrated that it is possible to continue to provide a superior education in the face of extraordinary circumstances. IC’s dynamic Virtual Learning platforms and intense professional development for the faculty around the concepts of digital learning technologies helped facilitate the timely transition from traditional classrooms to digital classrooms as the crisis unfolded. As Lebanon and IC look to the future, it is imperative to incorporate new and global technologies into everyday life. Collaborative infrastructure, like the Google for Education Suite, and the skills associated with these systems, will empower our students and teachers to be adaptive, and possess the problem-solving skills necessary to take on the challenges of the future. The evolving demands of the workplace and the world necessitate these skills. The perseverence, innovative capabilities, and enthusiasm for learning of the IC faculty and staff have greatly contributed to the efficacy of the digital learning systems rollout at International College. How can IC share this learning platform with the underprivileged communities of Lebanon which need assistance now more than ever?