The 2nd Learning Materials Distribution for Term 2

There is no hesitation that online learning pushes all teachers to think of the best ways to get students learn maximally despite all the challenges it has brought. Online meeting has been one of the best solutions, where interactions take place to deliver lessons, discuss a wide range of topics covered, share stories, evaluate learning, motivate one another, or even just to give all class members a room for chit-chats. However, online meeting alone is not enough to make the distance learning meaningful. There are some consequences that online meeting brings, such as: connectivity, learning tools/materials availability and the atmosphere of home that makes everyone feel more relaxed and thus less productive in terms of learning achievement. 

To address this challenge, an action should be taken. And, after a series of meeting, all teachers have agreed to distribute learning materials/stuff to support the online meetings. Therefore, when the online learning takes place, students are not only becoming the passive party in the interaction, but instead, the play an active role so that the knowledge/materials being discussed can be grasped quite maximally. 

Al Azhar 55 Islamic Primary School has decided to distribute learning materials through a drive-thru once a term, usually in the first week. Therefore, students will be equipped with the materials/tools/worksheets needed prior to the learning. In this case, each teacher will notify them which worksheet/material/tool needed beforehand. Then, the learning, though conducted in distance, would feel like a classroom learning where the facilities are available. 

The learning materials to be distributed are all prepared by all teachers according to the subject they teach based on the learning activities they have designed in the termly plans. All teacher in the school show collaborative work by sharing ideas, giving feedback, or even packing the stuff together. This collaboration is definitely what makes an international school international school. Regardless all the challenges we have, I feel so proud of being part of this school community.

In this second distribution, my most favorite part is writing a personal letter to each student. Inspired by what has been done by teachers at other international school, we feel that sending a letter would be a great way to send our students love and give them some motivational support so that they will stay motivated no matter what is happening right now. Almost all teachers decided to type the letters, while a few of us decided to write it with our handwriting. Those whose number of students is around 20, decided to type the letter to make it finished quickly. Meanwhile, the ones like me, who only has around 11-15 students decided to write with our handwriting to give a more personal touch so as to create a close bonds between us. 

Basically, we call the learning stuff to distribute a package. A package will consist of:

1. reading texts and the reading log form

2. worksheets

3. experiment materials and tools

4. stationery

5. a personal letter, and

6. extra paper if we want students to do some writing 

Though it spends and takes time, preparing this has been a fun activity for me. It's a kind of stress-relieving activity after facing some problems that might appear during online learning period. Even working over time is worth doing and rewarding, for the better learning meaningfulness and achievement. We're ready for the journey of Term 2 learning, BTW.