ACG School Jakarta’s ‘virtual classrooms’ and online learning platforms are proving to be hugely beneficial for both students and their parents. Principal, Shawn Hutchinson, credits this success to two core elements. Firstly, the live student-teacher interaction which is fundamental to all students making progress and achieving their full potential. Secondly, the desire to maintain a personalised learning approach that treats every student as an individual and always supports them pastorally and academically.
When ACG School Jakarta made the decision to temporarily close their campus in response to Covid-19 measures, their focus was to ensure the transition from a physical classroom to distance learning was as seamless as possible for students at every year level. Known for providing excellence in education, the school was determined to maintain their world-class teaching standards across all online learning programmes.
“It was vital to ensure that the activities we delivered were high-quality and reflective of what we do every day at school,” explains Principal Hutchinson. “Our objective was to ensure students do not miss out on a moment of their studies while providing opportunities to learn through hands-on, multi-sensory and open-ended activities rather than static worksheets or checklists.
“Highlighting our educational philosophy, we have focussed on making sure that students have their own ‘voice’ and could steer their learning in different directions if they wanted to, based on their own interests.”
Students have quickly and easily adapted to the virtual school environment and are enthusiastically engaging with online learning as their studies proceed at pace.
“I think the vast majority of our students have adjusted really well to this type of learning,” confirms Mr Hutchinson. “And I believe this is because lesson plans, accompanying documents and video sessions have been so clear and easy to understand.“
“Plus, the daily face-to-face interaction they have with their teachers and peers has allowed them to become very engaged and active online. Many of our students are really taking advantage of the digital tools they have access to and have formed online chat and study groups, independently reaching out to each other and building their own social networks.”
Recognising the need for open communication, the ACG team have implemented a number of channels to ensure frequent interaction between all members of the ACG community.
“Positive, supportive communication and strong relationships with your families is key to the success of virtual schooling. We have had extremely high levels of teacher and student engagement from day one. Our teachers are able to differentiate the work from each student and provide immediate feedback and support. As soon as work is submitted, teachers offer comments, suggestions, next steps and, where appropriate, further challenges.”
And as nationwide closures remain in place, ACG continues to help safeguard the health and mental wellbeing of their students through internal support networks, external counselling and medical assistance and advice.
Mr. Hutchinson is deeply appreciative of the extraordinary efforts his staff have put in over the past weeks and believes their contributions are pivotal to the ongoing success of the virtual classrooms.
“Many of our teachers have been working around the clock to ensure that students, parents and other colleagues have received high quality learning experiences and guidance. This personalised care and attention to detail has been a hallmark of our teachers’ work with students, and I do not think that this has slipped since moving to virtual schooling. The ability for our teachers to respond quickly to student and parents’ questions and requests has been a really positive part of their work.”
Principal Hutchinson is also quick to recognise the ongoing backing and understanding that parents and caregivers have provided has allowed online learning to flourish.
“As an academic team we were able to immediately move to virtual schooling. Our parents very quickly realised what was involved and became incredibly supportive of the work we were doing with their children. They have been so positive, flexible and open-minded.
“We are in constant contact with our parent community and during this time, they couldn’t have been more encouraging, active and completely behind our actions and decisions.”
ACG School Jakarta will continue to deliver a full, dynamic, and interactive e-Curriculum for all their students, however long the current situation lasts. ACG School Jakarta is open for learning.
For more information about ACG School Jakarta, please visit jakarta.acgedu.com
ACG School Jakarta
Jalan Warung Jati Barat No.19
South Jakarta 12540
T: +62 21 2978 0200
IG: @acgjakarta
FB: @ACG.Jakarta
jakarta.acgedu.com
