Digital Learning
The Durham District School Board (DDSB) has developed various digital learning opportunities for students to explore and achieve success while online. Staff are regularly taking part in training activities to provide students with new and innovative online experiences. Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the board has increased digital learning options such as DDSB@Home, FlexTime, RealTime, eLearning, and so much more. DDSB is dedicated to supporting the needs of all students.
Secondary School Hybrid Learning
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, students in all in-person DDSB secondary schools are learning in a hybrid learning environment. This means that they complete much of their classroom work both online in either a Google Classroom or a D2L/Brightspace classroom or at school when they are face-to-face with their teacher.
Students access their online classrooms through a Google Classroom link; http://classroom.google.com and their DDSB login and password.
DDSB@Home
More than 15,000 students participate in our virtual school, called DDSB@Home. To find out what the online school experience is like, please visit either of the following websites:
Our elementary school is broken down into a variety of campuses, each with its own Principal, Vice Principal and Teachers.
- Early Years/Kindergarten: ddsbathomeearlyyears@ddsb.ca
- Grade 1 & 2: ddsbathome12@ddsb.ca
- Grade 3 & 4: ddsbathome34@ddsb.ca
- Grade 5 & 6: ddsbathome56@ddsb.ca
- Grade 7 & 8: ddsbathome78@ddsb.ca
- French Immersion Campus: ddsbathomeFI@ddsb.ca
- Modified Year Campus: ddsbathomemodyear@ddsb.ca
The DDSB’s virtual schools provide full day online learning for students from Kindergarten through Grade 12.
RealTime and FlexTime Learning
Educators provide RealTime and FlexTime instruction in physical classrooms in a variety of ways, and virtual classrooms are no different. The information below are a few examples of the type of learning that students may be engaged in.
| RealTime - During this time, the educator is visible and interacting with the entire class or smaller groups. Students may be engaged in learning opportunities such as: |
*RealTime learning activities will vary between grade levels from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and will be applied in an age and developmentally appropriate manner in the classroom. |
| FlexTime - During FlexTime, the teacher is available for questions or discussions, but may not be visible. Students may be engaged in learning opportunities such as: |
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eLearning
eLearning provides DDSB secondary students with a flexible alternative to the face-to-face classroom. This online setting can support a student's educational plan when courses are not available to them at their home school, when a flexible alternative learning environment is required or when matching student preferred learning styles to programming needs.
eLearning courses are not face-to-face courses. Students who wish to participate in this program should speak to their Guidance Department. For more information about DDSB eLearning click here.
Distance Learning
From time to time, a classroom or a group of students may be required to work from home due to COVID-19. During this time, these classes will meet in their Google Classroom: classroom.google.com online. Students and families will receive information from their school if this happens.
Family Tips for Accessing Online Classrooms
These videos and docs have been created for parents and students:
| My student's password is not working or they have forgotten their password |
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Student passwords can be recovered if parents have registered email addresses at the time of student registration and verification (i.e. if the parent email contact is on file). To do so, go to http://student.ddsb.ca and click on "Password Reset" in the upper right corner. Choose "Recover Password" on the next screen and follow the prompts. More information and instructions can be found here. If this does not work, contact your student's teacher and they can submit a password request through an IT Incident Report on behalf of your student. They will communicate with you once the password has been reset (and provide the new password). |
| Signing into Chrome Browser |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8DaY43iqMg&t=17s |
| Using a Chromebook - Comprehensive Sign-in, Classroom, & Meet |
| https://drive.google.com/file/d/12EerW2LxVhBI-YJLiCu-LtnczXfSjEuk/view?usp=sharing |
| Signing into Google Classroom (PC/Chromebook) |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx_DKvXKwsU |
| Signing into Google Classroom (iOS) |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTDldxqtHb4 |
| Student-Led Tutorial of Google Classroom |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6i1rRcza_Y |
| Parent Tip Sheet for Google Classroom |
| https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IHrDNVbP4ZuwNTPPzPKFArjKcI9xRjZk/view |
Staying Safe Online
Now more than ever students are spending even more time online and DDSB is dedicated to teaching students the value of being smart and engaged digital citizens and how to stay safe online. For more resources and tips on how to navigate online safely, visit the Online Safety and Digital Citizenship page.
Every student whether they are learning online or at school is required to adhere to their school’s Code of Conduct. While online, students in the Durham District School Board are reminded of specific expectations for online learning with the DDSB Student Code of Conduct and Distance Learning.
We have also created “Student Guidelines for RealTime Learning” that outlines the agreed-upon norms and expectations for student participation in the virtual classroom. It highlights that students should be aware of what others may see and hear in the classroom and how to participate virtually.
Privacy
The privacy of students is very important to us. Please see our most recent privacy statement for more information.
DDSB teachers are permitted to use third party websites and apps as long as they have been previously approved by our Cyber-security team. A list of these educational apps can be found by clicking on the link.
