04May_Regent PD Digest for Teachers Issue 3

PULSE CHECK…
HBL @ REGENT, DONE AND
DUSTED...
By C.Kavitha
When a one-day trial for home-based learning was initiated, every member of Team Regent, put our heads together to
draw up our plans, strategize and move forward cautiously. The original proposal was for secondary schools to embark
on a two-day HBL trail on Thursdays but before we could complete the second day of HBL on 9 April 2020, MOE announced
that schools would go on Full Home Based Learning until early May.
Many of us were a little bewildered but remained steadfast to roll out the necessary learning packages for our
Regenites. Collectively, we figured out ways to execute lessons through Google Meet or Zoom, set assignments through
the Student Learning Space (SLS) and assess assignments utilizing online marking platforms and tools. As a school we
teamed up to cater to students who did not have laptops or internet access at home to ensure that learning continued to
take place while schools were closed.
Several brainstorming sessions were convened, led by our School Leaders (SLs). As a team, we tried to make sense of the
ever-changing and volatile situation and came up with a game plan to roll out full HBL. The school attempted to keep to as
much of the normal routines during FHBL as in normal circumstances. These included Form Teacher’s time and virtual
attendance taking using Google Meet at 7.30 a.m. each morning and Assembly Programmes such as Character and
Citizenship Education, Speak Good English Movement and Watch and Aspire (Career Guidance).
SLs led the KP team firmly, setting clear parameters, in line with MOE’s directives and put in place various structures for
the school. A Holistic FHBL timetable was designed and implemented to ensure that students were engaged meaningfully.
The Operations team comprising SLs, KPs, support and IT staff stationed in school helped to ensure the smooth running of
FHBL and was always there to render support when needed. The CARE team was also deployed to keep a watchful eye on
students who needed additional guidance, giving them a kind, gentle nudge as and when necessary.
Soon, online live lessons and SLS lessons took off. There was only one thing on all of our minds; To ensure that rich learning
continued for our Regenites. We told ourselves to tread lightly, encouraged one another, shared tips and teaching
strategies. Then, as if on cue, we collectively started to think radically and explored more creative teaching methods.
Mentimeter, Kahoot, Padlet, ClassKick and other ICT tools became part and parcel of teaching and learning. Teachermade
videos, live lesson invites, useful online links and our Principal’s FHBL digest to staff were shared among staff
generously.
Amidst this whirlwind of a new experience, we noticed our Regenites rising to this challenge. They were more selfdirected
than ever and pleasantly surprised us with their resilience and tenacity.
As a school, we soldiered on to harness the best that technology has to offer to help deepen teaching and learning.
It was truly a test on many fronts for us.
Yet, Regent teachers and students powered ahead and did their best with a good dose of empathy, unity and an
abundance mindset.
We have emerged from this experience stronger and wiser.
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