E-Learning Information

e-Learning Update - April 20, 2020


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Dear Maranatha Community,

Welcome back to school. As we observed and discussed our previous eLearning schedule, so many of the issues that came up were directly related to the pace of the day. So, we have made some changes related to pace, in the hope that this next session of eLearning is successful for everyone. Here is a reminder of changes to our eLearning program that I announced on April 6.
The biggest change is the new schedule that we are committing to these next two weeks. Simply put, we have a schedule that alternates between two days: A Day which contains periods 1-4, and B Day which holds periods 5, 6 and 7. Live sessions can only occur during time set aside for that class. We encourage live sessions, but in our asynchronous learning model we do not expect live sessions every day.
 
A couple of other things about the schedule: We have increased each class period by 20 minutes but overall class time has been reduced. Besides reducing the number of classes on a day, we have added more break time. You will also notice a bit later start to the day. Our days will run between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. This was also something that came out of a lot of research, including the survey. I know there are people on both sides of this issue, but this is a change we made in light of our stay-at-home orders we have been living under for these past few weeks. 
 
A new feature! Between periods 6 and 7 on B Days we have included either open time for classwork and contacting teachers, or it will be set aside for ‘MHS Life’. ‘Work Time’ gives teachers time to meet, as well as to communicate with students, and to have much-desired collaboration. ‘MHS Life’ includes chapel, advisory, announcements, and special student life events we have all missed. Check your calendar.
 
Last, I want to thank parents for all of your work. I know that some of the encouragement, cajoling, and guiding that is done on a regular basis in the classroom is now part of a parent’s work at home. We acknowledge that and we appreciate it a lot. Many of our faculty are also doing home study work with their own children.
 
G.K. Chesterton says “Education is simply the soul of society as it passes from one generation to another”. This is important work we are doing, engaging in learning about God’s created world and our place in it. I hope that it is a great month and a half.
 
Tim Fenderson
Academic Dean
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