How are S4J Partner VET Schools Integrating Online Learning?
At the beginning of the school year, ‘Skills for Jobs’ in collaboration with the National Agency for Employment and Skills drafted the Guide for Organizing Vocational Education in the Conditions of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This guide presented 3 different scenarios for managing the academic year, including tips and measures to combine classroom and online learning through digital platforms and communication tools. In November, according to an order from the Ministry of Health, teaching would take place according to the second scenario, combining classroom with online learning.
For the vocational ‘Gjergj Canco’ school in Tirana, the implementation of this scenario was not new. At the beginning of the year, an ad hoc commission was set up with teachers, students, parents and the Board of Directors, to select the most appropriate scenario in the most comprehensive form possible.
“Initially, we considered classroom learning, since the face-to-face approach will never lose its value. However, we noticed that this would be very tiring for teachers, who would have to work two shifts,” says Hedie Gjoni, school Principal.
Thus, the school decided to go with the second scenario, where online learning would also take place in school. Classes were divided into groups, where each of them rotated one week of classroom learning and the other week online.
“We took this decision considering our acquired experience from last year and thanks to laptops and infrastructure provided by ‘Skills for Jobs’.”
Hedie Gjoni
Another important element for the school is carrying out students’ apprenticeships.
“Our school is privileged because we have modern laboratories with all necessary equipment, where students can continue their apprenticeships on school premises, apart from businesses. Thus, even during online learning week, students carry out apprenticeships in the school or in the company one or two days a week.”
Hedie Gjoni
As of November, the school decided that Matura students should attend classes physically, due to the workload and additional attention required during the final year of school.
“I think the current situation is better than last year, as teachers have already mastered online learning. Our goal is to further increase the use of online platforms such as MesoVET, which this year has been enriched with learning materials. The platform should be used in a way that replaces classroom teaching, not only in pandemic times but also in normal conditions,” Hedie says.
