In response to class suspension due to the epidemic, the DSEDJ announced that starting from 11 October, non-tertiary education schools can gradually implement home learning plan, take different types of home learning measures moderately in accordance with the school-based actual situations and the relevant guidelines on teaching during class suspension in the School Operation Guide so as to help students maintain a study habit.
The DSEDJ reiterated that home learning measure should be based on the principles of “Focusing on adapting to learning and giving priority to consolidating the foundation”. When setting home learning tasks for students, schools should consider whether students are able to take on the tasks on their own. And besides, schools should make reasonable and appropriate arrangements according to the learning environment and the tools available. Schools are not obliged to provide full online learning for students in kindergartens, in Primary One to Primary Three and in special education. For these students, schools should adopt appropriate ways to keep them in a state of learning, such as providing them with fun learning games, consolidation exercises, learning videos etc.
Building an online teaching platform and providing relevant teacher training
In 2020, the DSEDJ launched a smart campus service platform for schools to carry out online teaching. In the 2020/2021 school year, more than 75 teacher training sessions were held, including: explanatory sessions, seed school teacher training, online training etc. The training sessions attracted almost 5,000 times of participation by teaching staff of all non-tertiary education schools in Macao.
The DSEDJ also provides support groups for the smart campus service platform, including "Smart Campus Administrator Support Group" and "Smart Campus Teacher Support Group". And besides, in order to offer technical and usage support service to schools, students, and parents, a user manual, online training, answering questions on the phone etc. are provided.
Optimising the "Curriculum and Teaching Resources Network"
In addition to providing a smart campus service platform, the DSEDJ has also continued to enrich various online teaching resources in the "Curriculum and Teaching Resources Network", pooling the existing resources and adding high quality online teaching resources shared between different regions to it, such as the National Education Resources Public Service Platform of China’s Ministry of Education, Cloud Platform for China's National Primary and Secondary Schools led by The Ministry of Education, the Shanghai Air Classroom, Shanghai Micro School of the Shanghai Municipal Education Bureau etc. as well as educational videos, teaching materials, excellent lesson plans, educational websites and other learning tools etc. from other countries/regions. Such resources cover different learning areas and subjects at various stages of education to support schools in carrying out online teaching and provide reference for schools, teachers, students and parents. The link to the special webpage: https://portal.dsedj.gov.mo/webdsejspace/site/ddca/index.jsp.
Schools can decide home learning arrangements in severe weather such as a typhoon, rainstorm during class suspension due to the epidemic according to the conditions
When activating mechanisms to stop educational activities in the event of a typhoon or rainstorm during class suspension due to the epidemic, schools should decide whether to continue, suspend or adjust “home learning” measure in accordance with the school’s actual arrangements for “home learning”, and depending on the impact of the relevant inclement weather on the launch of “home learning”. Schools should also notify parents and students of the decision in a timely manner. If parents and students are unable to participate in "home learning" due to inclement weather or force majeure, schools should deal with it flexibly as well as be compassionate and supportive.