July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Vaughn happy with survey results
FORT RECOVERY —E-Days will be used again. Fort Recovery Local Schools officials hope survey results will help streamline the process.
Parents were invited to fill out an online survey on the school system’s website about their experience with the E-Days that were used in early January to keep students connected to education via technology at times when weather forced schools to close.
The responses to the survey showed a majority of parents found educational value in the E-Days, but also highlighted some areas that need improvement.
“It’s where we’re headed. It’s the direction we’re moving,” said superintendent Shelly Vaughn. “Technology is infused in everything that we do. This is an opportunity for kids to learn in a different way.”
Fort Recovery used E-Days for the first time Jan. 6, 7 and 8 following a storm that dumped 14 inches of snow.
The E-Days are a program that allows teachers to create pre-planned assignments available to their students via the Internet. The days can only be used after a school has taken all of its five “calamity days.”
The assignments are designed to take the place of a regular school day, and students have two weeks to complete and turn in the work.
The survey asked three main questions, including “Did you find value in online work for your children?”
Sixty-three percent of the 151 respondents to the survey said yes while 26 percent said no. Eleven percent didn’t answer the question.
Based on survey comments, Vaughn noted that there are some parents who don’t buy into the value of online learning. But she said she is pleased with the results overall.
The survey also asked parents if their children knew how to access E-Day lessons either by themselves or with the help of an adult. Fifty-two percent said yes, and 40 percent said no.
“This is one that will be I think easy for us to remedy,” said Vaughn, noting that simply having had the experience this year will help in the future.
“It’s just a matter of taking the time to demonstrate that to all students so they know exactly what the expectations are and where they need to go to access things.”
The third question asked whether parents or children contacted teachers if they had a question about an E-Day assignment. Thirty-eight percent said they did.
One of the biggest challenges with the E-Days, Vaughn said, was the timing.
The E-days fell right around exam time for the middle and high school students. But she also noted that teachers tailored their lessons to be helpful toward the exams.
Vaughn also noted that the experience for some parents depended on their work situation.
“If you have a lot of little ones and you’re still working full time, it’s tough,” she said.
Teachers from the elementary, middle and high schools also met with administrators to discuss how to improve the use of E-Days. One of their major concerns was making sure special education students got clear instructions about expectations.
Since Fort Recovery became the first Mercer County school district to use E-Days in January, Vaughn said she has gotten calls from other superintendents interested in using the program.
“The big advantage is we’ve had a harsh winter,” said Vaughn. “Because of those E-Days, we’re not in a position where we have to make up school after graduation and into the summer when it’s really difficult to keep kids’ focus.”
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Parents were invited to fill out an online survey on the school system’s website about their experience with the E-Days that were used in early January to keep students connected to education via technology at times when weather forced schools to close.
The responses to the survey showed a majority of parents found educational value in the E-Days, but also highlighted some areas that need improvement.
“It’s where we’re headed. It’s the direction we’re moving,” said superintendent Shelly Vaughn. “Technology is infused in everything that we do. This is an opportunity for kids to learn in a different way.”
Fort Recovery used E-Days for the first time Jan. 6, 7 and 8 following a storm that dumped 14 inches of snow.
The E-Days are a program that allows teachers to create pre-planned assignments available to their students via the Internet. The days can only be used after a school has taken all of its five “calamity days.”
The assignments are designed to take the place of a regular school day, and students have two weeks to complete and turn in the work.
The survey asked three main questions, including “Did you find value in online work for your children?”
Sixty-three percent of the 151 respondents to the survey said yes while 26 percent said no. Eleven percent didn’t answer the question.
Based on survey comments, Vaughn noted that there are some parents who don’t buy into the value of online learning. But she said she is pleased with the results overall.
The survey also asked parents if their children knew how to access E-Day lessons either by themselves or with the help of an adult. Fifty-two percent said yes, and 40 percent said no.
“This is one that will be I think easy for us to remedy,” said Vaughn, noting that simply having had the experience this year will help in the future.
“It’s just a matter of taking the time to demonstrate that to all students so they know exactly what the expectations are and where they need to go to access things.”
The third question asked whether parents or children contacted teachers if they had a question about an E-Day assignment. Thirty-eight percent said they did.
One of the biggest challenges with the E-Days, Vaughn said, was the timing.
The E-days fell right around exam time for the middle and high school students. But she also noted that teachers tailored their lessons to be helpful toward the exams.
Vaughn also noted that the experience for some parents depended on their work situation.
“If you have a lot of little ones and you’re still working full time, it’s tough,” she said.
Teachers from the elementary, middle and high schools also met with administrators to discuss how to improve the use of E-Days. One of their major concerns was making sure special education students got clear instructions about expectations.
Since Fort Recovery became the first Mercer County school district to use E-Days in January, Vaughn said she has gotten calls from other superintendents interested in using the program.
“The big advantage is we’ve had a harsh winter,” said Vaughn. “Because of those E-Days, we’re not in a position where we have to make up school after graduation and into the summer when it’s really difficult to keep kids’ focus.”
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