out of the classroom

Posts

Getting ready for my child's remote learning experience

Why have I been thinking of distance learning as an alternative to my child’s schooling education ? Simply because I’m planning to travel and live abroad with my daughter. I have got some experience of living abroad, but this time I would be living this new experience with my daughter who will be at the elementary school age when we start our trip. This is why I had to think about alternatives for my child’s school education. The time to pack our bags is not close and not even the one for booking flights. Many things remain to be done and one of them is learning about how I could assist my daughter with school subjects during the trip and the stay abroad. She cannot be schooled in a local school till we find a place to settle in. My daughter will not go to international schools either. The fee for these schools doesn’t fit my budget. If we are to settle in a place, she could be enrolled in a local school. There are many children instruction approaches out ther...

Balancing autonomy and support in distance learning: key takeaways

It's undeniable that distance learning has revolutionized education, offering both flexibility and accessibility to students worldwide. In an increasingly digital and interconnected world, individuals must navigate complex tasks independently while collaborating effectively with others. In this respect, distance learning provides a fertile ground to hone these competencies. However, amidst the significant freedom and benefits of independent study - through which students develop self-discipline, adaptability and time management skills - it's crucial to strike a balance by leveraging institutional resources and support services in order to reinforce student outcomes. First and foremost, institutional resources play a key role in enriching the distance learning experience. Virtual libraries, discussion forums, and multimedia content provide diverse learning materials. Accessing these resources complements independent study, offering and facilitating deeper and more thorough un...

Exams...To be or not to be at home

Last year was my first year as a distance student. I was surprised to learn that I had to pass most of my exams in person on my university campus. It is also the case this year. Some teachers also seemed surprised. They also thought that the evaluation would be through remote tests. We are very poorly informed as remote students because teachers think that it is the administration that gives us the information and the administration asks us to rely on our teachers. That’s why I had no idea about it and I must admit that I did not feel prepared at all. I had a second surprise when discovering my exams timetable was quite complicated. I discovered the complexity of administrative decisions that is not based on human comfort. For example, an exam scheduled two different days in a row, just for forty minutes, for each semester of the same subject. I also discovered that when come the examination period I was in a kind of mixed situation with teachers who pr...

Remote students. Who are these people?!

How distance learning students are perceived have evolved these last years with the emergence of various distance learning courses online especially since the covid pandemic and with policies aiming at rendering education accessible to all. It might even soon become a new trend. Still, nowadays as a few years back, distance learning students are often seen either as overachievers who study remotely in additional curriculum or in a less favorable way as lazy, socially unskilled, bored old people with nothing important to do and in need of filling their lives by doing anything in order to feel valuable (sic), eccentric… Remote students could well be one or more or even all of the above. However, they are not merely all of those. They could simply be unable to access an educational and cultural program due to health, schedule or commuting reasons. Does the fact one is ill or old means he/she chose to study remotely because he/she’s got nothing else to do ? Can’...

Adapting curriculum for distance learning: a student's perspective

The shift to distance learning has become a prominent aspect of education worldwide, including in France. Distance learning in France has a rich history dating back to the 19th century when correspondence education gained traction. Interestingly enough, in 1856, Frenchman Charles Toussaint initiated distance education by teaching French in Berlin through the establishment of a school of language by correspondence. However, technological innovations enabled educators to reach students remotely, paving the way for more accessible and flexible learning opportunities and experiences. More recently, distance learning in France has gained significance, most notably during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting the development of digital tools and strategies. Therefore, as students navigate this new and dynamic terrain, teachers play a critical role in adapting their curriculum and teaching methods to ensure effective distance instruction. From a student's perspective, here are some key strateg...

Far far away school

Far far away school A few years ago, I liked to watch a television documentary entitled “Chemins d'école, chemins de tous les dangers”, in which we could follow children who were making an extremely difficult way to go to school. Their journeys to school sometimes took hours (or days) and the children had to face many dangers! It was so fascinating to see their eagerness to go to school and their desire to access education. I remembered their enthusiasm when I was thinking about my distance learning experience. I feel that it is the exact contrary of my situation as a student, because I have access to education but I have chosen to not get into a school. But it is not quite that simple. This television documentary speaks of particular situations where it is the environment that makes the school accessibility so different. Geographical and political aspects are the main reasons for those children’s situations. In our european society, and in the case of France specif...