IJA LeADS
(Learning through Alternative Design Systems)
Introduction
The Covid 19 pandemic has brought about drastic changes in people’s way of life, and that includes students’ learning which many schools had to address. Fortunately for the Infant Jesus Academy Schools System, it had already shifted into a more progressive approach to education which included the integration and maximization of the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in classroom instruction in the last five years.
To deal with the challenges of restrictions on group interactions brought about by the COVID 2019 threat, the IJA System will implement, beginning SY 2020-2021, the IJA LeADS (Learning through Alternative Design Systems) Mode.
What is IJA LeADS?
The IJA LeADS is a blended mode of getting the school’s instructions/services across. This means that the teaching-learning process will be a combination of:
- distance learning modes which may be done online via the Internet or through self-learning modules (printed or digital materials that students use to study on their own); and
- face-to-face classroom setting (This will only be done if and when health and education authorities declare that it is safe to do so).This means that depending on the need and situation, the child may either be doing distance learning or face-to-face classroom learning but modified to ensure compliance with health standards and physical distancing.
IJA LeADS will also transform some services like admissions, enrollment, Business Office transactions, Parent-Teacher Conferences (PTC), and teacher/personnel training. This may mean the upgrading of internet facilities, putting up meeting and recording rooms which shall be used by the teachers in preparing learning materials for different sets of students and others will be given priority over other infrastructure improvements.
Why are we doing this?
1
To support learning both online and offline
2
To create more convenient ways to facilitate teaching, learning, and administrative processes
3
To provide for continuous improvement and innovation of the teaching-learning process
What are the possible modes of learning in the IJA LeADS?
Distance Learning
Low-tech or No-tech Model
Students will self-study printed modules or materials picked-up by adults from the school. After answering the exercises in the modules, they will be submitted to the school for evaluation by a teacher.
Online Synchronous or
Fixed-time Model
Students will attend classes and accomplish tasks or assignments online at a set time. It will demand live online communication through the use of tele- or video-conferencing apps like Facebook Messenger, Skype, Google Meet, Zoom, etc.
Asynchronous Online Distance Learning or
Open Time Learning Model
Assignments and tasks will be given within a specified period of time and the students are given some sort of open time or freedom to work on their own within that period.
Face-to-Face
(This will only be conducted if and when health and education authorities declare that it is safe to do so.)
Rotation Model
Students, divided into groups, will take turns in coming to school at different schedules to limit the number of students in the class at a time. While one group is in class, the rest will be working on modules at home or online.
Consultation Model
A small group of students (1 to 5 students at a time) may be asked by the teachers to come for one-on-one or small group coaching on subjects/topics they are having difficulty with.
Students will have access to online resources such as:
Webinars
Youtube Videos
Audio Recordings or Podcasts
Educational Blogs
Virtual Laboratories
How will the classes be conducted?
| Pre-school | Primary | Intermediate | JHS | SHS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Students | 5 - 10 | 10 - 15 | 15 - 20 | 15 - 20 | 15 - 20 |
| Printed Modules / Online Activities / Instructional Audio/Video | Used/Conducted | Used/Conducted | Used/Conducted | Used/Conducted | Used/Conducted |
| Face-to-face Mode | Possibly 1-2x a week | Possibly 2-3x a week | Possibly 2-3x a week | Possibly 2-3x a week | Possibly 2-3x a week |
| Textbooks | Required | Required | Required | Required | |
| Goal-Setting Session | Conducted | Conducted | Conducted | ||
| Learning Journals | Required | Required | Required | ||
| Learning Dependence | Learning Coach strongly recommended | Learning Coach upon adviser’s recommendation | Student must study independently | Student must study independently | Student must study independently |
How will they be graded?
Formative Assessments in the form of “Self-Checks for Understanding”, embedded in the learning materials and/or Actual Feedback of teachers to students shall be made. These will not be graded.
Summative Assessments (like long tests and quarterly tests) will not be solely paper and pencil as they used to be, but shall take other forms like Performance Tasks, Capstone Projects and/or Portfolios. These will be graded.
The grading system shall be both descriptive and narrative. Students’ individual achievements will not be compared; thus no ranking of students will be done. At this time, the school looks at the effectiveness of the learning process and resulting advancement in knowledge, skills, and attitudes as more important considerations over numerical grades and ranks.
