It is a common misconception that online learning creates a sense of disconnect. Many people assume that without face-to-face interaction, students miss out on the social aspects of education and lack the engagement that bricks-and-mortar classrooms bring.
This, however, could not be further from the truth. In the digital hallways of Haileybury Pangea, every day is filled with unique activities designed purposefully to engage online learners.
From spirited debates in English class to collaborative activities in science, classes buzz with conversation. Despite the distance that separates them, students bond over shared interests and chosen classes.
Our very own Melissa Allen (Head of Teaching and Learning, Middle School) recently spent a day learning as a Haileybury Pangea student, attending their classes and participating in assignments.
Melissa kicked off her day with a Year 8 Science lesson, diving into a hands-on activity crafting a cell diagram with paper, glue stick, pencil and scissors. Next up was English, featuring a traditional hard-copy essay assessment. Despite the digital age, the class reverted to pen and paper, submitting photocopies of their essays at class end.
But here is the best part: the end of class is not the end of the story. Although students have plenty of allotted time to do self-guided study, many students enjoy meeting up for lunch club every second Tuesday, an initiative started by Year 12 captains Sean and Maddy. The sessions are a chance for students to get to know each other better and to share their news and highlights of the past two weeks.
“The lunch-time drop-ins are an opportunity for anyone to ask questions and get to know one another, and Sean and I can find out what students want introduced into our community so we can do our best to achieve that,” Maddy shared.