April 13, 2020

Just a few reminders as we head back to eLearning tomorrow, Tuesday, April 14. 

• Your student will not be able to participate in online learning all day* or during a scheduled assessment or specific time that they are required to be online.

Video Conferencing

As we adjust to a new learning environment, we here at Guerin Catholic thought it would be helpful to provide students and families with some guidance when it comes to Video Conferencing. It has become clear through the first two weeks of eLearning that while we cannot be physically present with our peers, teachers, coaches, and administrators, that this Video Conferencing is a powerful tool in helping to maintain our incredible Guerin Catholic Community.

It is also clear that Video Conferencing is something that is not going away. It will be or already has been integrated into college courses and numerous professions. This is an opportunity for our students to develop good professional habits when meeting virtually. In developing the Etiquette and Expectations listed below we have conferred with various professional organizations, universities, teachers, and businesses

Physical Location -Should be in a professional setting such as a home office or dining room. We realize that many students have a work space in their bedrooms. If students choose to meet from their bedroom,it is not appropriate to be in their beds while in a Video Conference. Be mindful when broadcasting live that you check the background for any materials that may be distracting, inappropriate, or potentially offensive, both audio and visual. It is appropriate to have a simple digital picture or backdrop to serve as the background if a student would prefer to not have their home on display.

Auditory Distractions- When you are not speaking in a video conference, have your microphone muted. Background noise or echos of the speaker may cause disruptions in conferencing audio. Many of these distractions could also be avoided with the use of headphones as speakers rather than using your computers speakers.

Attire- Dress as if you are meeting in person, your clothing should be modest and appropriate.

Camera- Make sure your camera is situated on a stable surface. Limit movement of the camera throughout the conference.

Discussion- Wait until someone has finished a complete thought until you begin speaking. This may lead to awkward silences, but avoids people speaking over one another. Please avoid side conversations or off-topic commentary that distract from the conference. If you have a specific on-topic question for someone say their name prior to asking the question. Many platforms have a hand-raising function or simply un-muting yourself can be an indication that you would like to contribute.

Recording- Just as is the case in a traditional classroom setting, any pictures or recording can only be done with teacher permission.

Keeping Virtual Meetings Safe

As we continue to settle into the extended e-Learning situation and to create a sense of community for our students, we want families to know that we are and will continue to monitor all platforms that Guerin Catholic staff have been utilizing, especially with regards to the recent media attention on virtual meeting security/privacy concerns. More specifically, the three main resources teachers are utilizing

(BigBlueButton/Canvas, Google Meet, and Zoom) have made several positive enhancements to their platform security in response to unauthorized access to virtual meetings. Those enhancements, along with a set of protocols that our teachers are following, ensure virtual meetings for our classes are safe and secure as possible. We also want families to know we will keep a vigilant watch on all these platforms as they continue to adjust to the needs of the current educational environment, and will pass on pertinent information to all those in our community. That said, families can rest assured that the Guerin staff is making it a top priority to keep our students safe throughout all their virtual experiences. If you have any questions don't hesitate to email Mark Phillips, Guerin Catholic's Director of Technology, at mphillips@guerincatholic.org. We strive to partner with families to make this new e-learning environment a rewarding and enriching experience.