08.04.2020

Abepar reports Beacon’s distance learning

Abepar (Brazilian Association of Private Schools) published on its website a report on Beacon’s Distance Learning Plan. Read the full text below. 

Hand in hand, technology and communication guarantee the learning process at Beacon School 

Technology and education went hand in hand at Beacon School, an international education school with two units in the West of São Paulo. Digital tools such as Moodle and Google Classroom were used by teachers and students in an integrated way with the face-to-face classes. With the arrival of Covid-19 in São Paulo, a disease caused by the new coronavirus, the school community had to be physically distant. Technology and education, however, remain close-knit for the benefit of students and families. 

Planning of activities and the use of technological resources have been responsible for the success of Beacon School in the process of continuing its educational project during these times of seclusion. Since 3/18, the school has been following up on projects through non-face-to-face classes. The experience has been positive, according to Beacon’s Educational Technology coordinator, Zilda Kessel. 

“We are a school that uses virtual learning environments in both Primary and Secondary Education”, says the coordinator. “The use of digital tools was already linked to the face-to-face in the school’s daily life”. 

But despite this, Zilda Kessel recalls that it was not so simple to switch from face-to-face activities to distance learning. “This is because we have not chosen just one way to solve the issue,” she says. “Beacon School works with research, group projects and student’s autonomy. Therefore, our challenge was not to put a camera and teach classes, but to create didactic sequences, to provide guidance for students to live the experience within the conception of our school ”. 

For this reason, says Kessel, “the pedagogical team of each segment is choosing the most appropriate techniques to the characteristics of the students, the children’s time and the way the work happens. It is something new for everyone, but we are moving forward!”

Transparent dialogue with families

For Kessel, a great ally in the change was the communication team at Beacon, which from the beginning engaged in an open dialogue with families. “Beacon School has a communication area that has tried, very carefully, to let parents know about each of the steps that would be taken from there”, she says. “From the first minute, the school took the position of being absolutely transparent with the families”. 

Proof of this are the documents available by the school with the guidelines that would be adopted by Beacon for the period of distance learning. Directed to parents, the documents, prepared in Portuguese and in English, bring all the planning for each level – from Kindergarten to Elementary School 2 -, as well as guidance to parents and school tips on how families could accommodate and help children in the process. 

Early Childhood Education

Early childhood students have received special attention from the Beacon School. Unlike other classes, the children had no contact with digital tools. “The teachers reorganized for the virtual environment the activities that would be done with them in person. In the meantime, we prepared virtual learning rooms for small students ”, says the coordinator. 

For the little ones, teachers record videos and promote moments when everyone goes online for a conversation or storytelling round. Every day, students do activities with their families, guided by teachers. “There are activities for the whole group and also for small groups, in addition to individual attention”, comments Kessel. 

Changing paradigms

“This is a difficult period. What we are sure of is that schools will never be the same again in terms of technology use”, reflects Zilda Kessel. 

“What I see today is Beacon’s immense competence in responding quickly to difficulties. All teachers are working hard, with a lot of effort, so that this is a truly meaningful experience ”, says the coordinator about the pedagogical team. “If I could, I would leave the house and hug everyone!”