Not long ago, people in the United States were worried about a possible pandemic of Swine Flu. Children and parents were told to stay home if they exhibited symptoms of influenza. School Superintendents discussed the possibility of shutting down their schools due to illness if an outbreak occurred. In the north we've experienced frequent snow days, three so far this January. So how do you keep children focused on learning with these kinds of disruptions?
With the advent of electronic information exchange, it's possible for schools to create extended learning networks. Teachers prepare work ahead of time for days when students cannot get to school. In the Kearsarge School District, students can make up work using their Blizzard Bags. There are lessons to be done with or without power. Teachers agree to be available to students through Skype or Moodle on these days and if 90% of students turn in the work within a week, it counts as a school day. Reducing the number of overall days that students and teachers have to make up at the end of the year. The Kearsarge area is mountainous and prone to heavy snowfall and response to this program has been very positive.
That's not to say that this will work with all children. Some children really need the structure of a school day in order to focus. Our public school systems were designed to create students who were ready to work in factories during the industrial revolution. As schools and learning adapt to changing learning patterns and differentiate instruction for all learners it's important to be open to new ideas. Kearsarge I think you are onto something!
-AMA
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