Teaching and Learning

IT Staffing/Outsourcing Plans to Manage and Consolidate Online Learning

All schools must be prepared to transition to a full distance learning mode in the case of a virus outbreak or other public health emergencies, based on guidance received from ADEK.

Schools are encouraged to:

• Re-evaluate their educational technology needs based on the experience of distance learning, as expressed by teachers, academic leaders, parents and students. Educational technology may refer to online learning apps, platforms, video communication tools, etc.
• Develop a clear implementation plan for online learning in the case of another outbreak, including which software/ed-tech tools to use, creating accounts for teachers and students as needed, and plans for rollout of online learning, including communication with parents.
• Appoint IT focal persons through assigning additional duties to existing staff or through new recruitment of specialised staff to support any IT-based issues that teachers, students or parents may face to ensure equitable access to online teaching for everyone.
• Appoint an IT trainer to provide context-relevant training to teachers and students on using the school’s specific platforms as needed.

Online Security and Privacy Maintenance for Students, Teachers and Administrative Staff

Schools shall carry out an exhaustive risk-assessment for all online technology tools that they deploy or intend to deploy, and develop actions to mitigate risks, where identified.

The Risk Assessment can be carried out with support from the developers of the software/learning platform under use but must be led by the school administration.

Schools shall communicate the Risk Assessment results and mitigating actions to staff, parents, and students with clear roles and responsibilities defined for each stakeholder.

Schools are mandated to conduct age-appropriate sessions with students on staying safe online. Schools may consider using widely available resources to deliver these messages and online safety training to students.

Advice on School-Based Evaluation of Distance Learning through Parent, Teacher, and Student Surveys or Focus Group Discussions

The Education Quality Assurance and Monitoring Office at ADEK has shared results from the Distance Learning Evaluation process with schools. Based on these results, schools are encouraged to develop an action plan to address areas of improvement within their distance learning delivery.

Schools are also encouraged to conduct their own internal evaluations of their distance learning programs through parent/teacher/student surveys or focus group discussions.

Continuing the Use of Online Learning to Build Resilience for the Future

While schools are mandated to continue to provide distance learning to students, schools have the discretion of choosing the duration, instructional materials, instructional approach, and technological tools best suited to their context to deliver their online offering.

However, schools must ensure that students who are attending through distance learning only must receive adequate supports and opportunities to interact with teachers and peers to guarantee equity.

Instructions for Schools to Comply with Copyright Restrictions during Remote and Flexible Learning

Schools shall abide by the terms laid out in Federal Law No. (7) of 2002 On Copyrights and Related Rights while teaching online.

Under the provisions of this law, the making of one or more copy of a work (including publications such as textbooks), sound recording, broadcast program, or any performance in any manner or form, including loading of permanent or temporary electronic storage, regardless of the method or device used in copying is prohibited.