Overview
In response to the Coronavirus pandemic and the national directive to not have students and groups of adults on the school premises Dubai International Academy has developed a comprehensive and rigorous virtual learning programme designed to maintain educational standards and deliver, with the support of the latest technology, a quality learning experience.
The school is aware that technical challenges, isolation and possible differences in time zones may present some hurdles in delivering great learning. So, we ask for students, parents and teachers to demonstrate adaptability, flexibility and fortitude as we move forward to really make things work.
Early Years and Primary school
We are fully aware our younger students are still developing their independence therefore the teacher-parent partnership will be vital for students to really engage in distance learning tasks and to access on- line resources.
The designed learning tasks and activities will provide direction and support to families with the understanding that task completion depends on each individual families’ circumstances. We recognise that parents may have more than one child to guide, therefore we will provide as much support as required from our side.
Secondary students
Secondary students are generally more independent learners and we very much encourage them to be so when they are in school. But we also know they need they support, guidance and encouragement to learn at their very best. To this end, our distance learning programme will be very interactive – with significant levels of contact from teachers daily.
Working in Partnership
To really make distance learning work for the best learning experience and outcomes for students, we all – the school, parents and students have an important role to play
The following guidelines and expectations have been developed to make our virtual learning experience work as successfully as possible.
The school’s commitment
- Teachers will create learning experiences for students to work at their own pace and take time to absorb content. We will curate and upload resources in advance and use appropriate apps to set work for students
- Teachers will give explicit instructions for consistency and set clear out clear expectations and deadline for completion of tasks
- The school will provide extra support where needed. Teachers will use online collaboration tools to support individual/groups of students who may require extra help with certain concepts/tasks
- Teachers will mark student work and provide feedback at the earliest opportunity
- The school leadership team and teachers will be online during school hours to provide support, answer questions, or clarify confusion via online systems
- The school will seek student and parent feedback about quality of the learning experience – the amount of work, the pace of work and most of all, how the student and family are feeling through this experience
Expectation of Students (with the support of parents and teachers)
- Be present and on time for online distance learning sessions as directed by school
- Actively complete all tasks as assigned by teachers and submit work in expected timescales
- Adhere to the school e-Safety policy.
- Contact the school if work is too much, too difficult, too easy and so on
- To not record online interactions or the video lessons, or share recorded lessons publicly
- Report any misuse of online platform by other students to your subject teacher
Parent support
It would be incredibly helpful if parents can:
- Provide an environment conducive to learning - access to technology, safe and quiet space during daytime
- Engage in conversations with your child on posted materials, assignments
- Monitor time spent engaging in online and offline distance learning
- Support emotional balance by providing room and time for reflection, physical activity, conversation and play
- Support your child with managing the deadlines effectively
- Provide feedback on the quality of the learning experience for their son/daughter
Technology platforms
The teachers will use appropriate platforms for each year level for effective distance learning. Some of the key platforms being used are: -
Early Years
- Google links - various links to age appropriate activities
- YouTube channels to upload videos that includes phonics, numbers, art, craft, music, story sessions etc
- Shared online folders with Maths and English content
- Shared links to subscribed online platforms with parents
Primary School
- Edmodo – enables teachers to share content, distribute quizzes, assignments, and manage communication with students, colleagues, and parents
- Toddle – a collaboration platform for the IB PYP through which teachers can plan together, encourage student agency, personalise distance learning, and involve families from one interface
- SeeSaw – enables teachers to share activities, videos and resources, and for students to submit their completed work for marking and assessment
- Microsoft Office 365 Teams – to facilitate online (both synchronous and asynchronous) discussions, meetings and sharing of resources
- CENTURY Tech – Intelligent learning app that uses learning science, artificial intelligence and neuroscience, to create constantly adapting pathways for students and powerful assessment data for teachers
Secondary school
- Managebac – The leading planning, assessment and reporting platform for the IB continuum
- Microsoft Office 365 Teams – to facilitate online (both synchronous and asynchronous) discussions, meetings and sharing of resources
- CENTURY Tech – Intelligent learning app that uses learning science, artificial intelligence and neuroscience, to create constantly adapting pathways for students and powerful assessment data for teachers
- Edmodo – enables teachers to share content, distribute quizzes, assignments, and manage communication with students, colleagues, and parents
- Subject online resources like Kognity, iMaths, InThinking will help students to access the subject content
Support
- Academic issues – Any academic issues should be firstly raised to the teacher concerned. Should you require any further clarification, then you may contact:
Primary School: Year Leaders/Subject Coordinators
|
Year Leader/Subject Coordinator |
Team Contact | |
| KG 1 | Ms. Stephanie Martin | [email protected] |
| KG 2 | Ms. Sally Potter | [email protected] |
| Year 1 | Ms. Claire White | [email protected] |
| Year 2 | Ms. Barbara Lynham | [email protected] |
| Year 3 | Ms. Sara McDermott | [email protected] |
| Year 4 | Mr. Phillip Lydon | [email protected] |
| Year 5 | Ms. Masuma Ashikali | [email protected] |
| Year 6 | Ms. Sally Saaid | [email protected] |
| French/Spanish | Mr. Giacomo Filippini | [email protected] |
| P.E. | Ms.Ann-Alicia Free | [email protected] |
| Music | Ms. Heidi Collier | [email protected] |
| Art | Ms. Kiran Lakhiani | [email protected] |
| Islamic | Ms. Asmat Jabeen | [email protected] |
| Arabic B | Ms. Eman Jamal | [email protected] |
| Arabic A | Ms. Asma Al Mohammed | [email protected] |
Secondary School: Heads of Departments
| Mathematics | Mr. Gerhard Van Der Wal | [email protected] |
| English | Ms. Kanchi Das | [email protected] |
|
MYP Science (Yr 7 – 9) & Biology, Sports Science (Yr 10 – 13) |
Ms. Barbara Timlin | [email protected] |
| Chemistry & ESS (Yr 10 – 13) | Ms. Katrin Bastijns | [email protected] |
| Physics (Yr 10 – 13) | Mr. Declan Alvaro | [email protected] |
| Islamic Education | Mr. Waleed Abdelazim | [email protected] |
| Arabic A | Mr. Reda Al Ashmawey | [email protected] |
| Arabic B | Mr. Mohamed Nasr | [email protected] |
| Individuals & Societies (Yr 7 – 11) | Mr. James Baird | [email protected] |
| Individuals & Societies (Yr 12 – 13) | Ms. Reena Tikku | [email protected] |
| Technology | Ms. Ruba Jeshi | [email protected] |
| PE | Mr. Mihail Kouzev | [email protected] |
| Visual Arts | Ms. Nirupama Sibal | [email protected] |
| Performing Arts (Music, Drama & Media) | Ms. Liza-Marie Henshaw | [email protected] |
| Language B (Yr 7 – 11) | Ms. Rosana Murillo | [email protected] |
| Language B (Yr 12 – 13) | Ms. Isabelle Philippe | [email protected] |
Technical issues – Please contact [email protected] for any issues facing with the technical aspects during the distance learning period
Other contact details
| Medical Team | Doctor Indira George | [email protected] |
| Emergency matters | Principal – Jayne Needham | [email protected] |
| Admissions | Admission Team | [email protected] |
| Accounts | Accounts Team | [email protected] |
| Feedback | Management | [email protected] |
| Secondary School | Head of School - Hitesh Bhagat | [email protected] |
| Primary School | Head of School – Graham Walmsley | [email protected] |
| Primary Office | PS Secretary | [email protected] |
| Secondary Office | SS Secretary | [email protected] |
| Learning Curriculum | Early Years - Olivia Raisbeck | [email protected] |
| Learning Curriculum | Years 1 – 4, Ruchika Sachdev | [email protected] |
| Learning Curriculum | Years 5 – 6, Emma Cottingham | [email protected] |
| Learning Curriculum | Years 7 – 9, Susan McMechan | [email protected] |
| Learning Curriculum | Years 10 – 11, Sean Kelly | [email protected] |
| Learning Curriculum | Years 12 – 13, Pam Parasram | [email protected] |
| Inclusion | Primary School, Donna O’Sullivan | [email protected] |
| Inclusion | Secondary School , Saima Khan | [email protected] |
| Careers Counsellor | Rachana Sippy | [email protected] |
| School Counsellor | Malin Ehrman - Sylvander | [email protected] |