Efforts by the U.S. Department of Education to encourage school preparedness for learning continuity during prolonged absences or emergency dismissals due to H1N1 flu outbreaks included a recent tour of a closure simulation at VOISE Academy, a Chicago public school.
The simulation reinforced how educational technologies meet DOE expectations for H1N1 preparedness, enabling students to continue their studies remotely — and uninterrupted — with online materials and other aligned content, virtual class meetings, digital instructional resources. and collaborative tools.
In relation, a recently announced partnership to offer Educational Tools’ CORE Curriculum through interactive educational platform School Town, surpasses DOE preparedness recommendations to develop effective distance learning strategies and utilize new resource opportunities that can sustain student performance during extended absences and school closures (Video).
DOE Assistant Deputy Secretary Jim Shelton and International Association of K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) CEO Susan Patrick toured VOISE Academy as a model school ready to manage H1N1-related issues, including complete shutdown.
VOISE Academy is an educational blueprint for technology use in twenty-first century classrooms and beyond, using computers and digital curriculum resources daily. Students there access assignments and collaborate with teachers and peers on School Town’s sophisticated web-based learning environment.
Click here for more on H1N1 preparedness and how Educational Tools and School Town can help. System implementation can take just days, yet impact incredible long-term advancement in how educators teach, and how students learn.