Virtual Learning

The main hub for all learning, conferences and activities is Canvas. You can access the Aspen Academy Canvas portal here: aspenacademy.instructure.com

• All students PreK-8th grade have been provided a username (firstname.lastname@aspenacademy.org) and password (eight random characters)
• Students in grades 5 and above are very familiar with the use of Canvas, while younger students may require some assistance.
• Parents should be signed up as observers of all of their children. If this is not yet set up, generate a pairing code by logging in as the student and generating a pairing code in the “Settings” area of the Account.
• Each student will have work to do in the modules (on left window) section of each class. Watch this video for more information about learning with modules.

• Zoom is a web-conferencing tool that is used for communication between people around the world. Aspen has provided Zoom Education Host accounts for each core teacher.
• Teachers will use Zoom to deliver live lessons, and the recorded versions of them, to ensure effective instruction is given in the event of a school closure.
• Zoom meetings will be scheduled each day by teachers and posted in the module section of each teacher’s class.
• This video shows how Zoom will look in a Canvas module.

• Aspen Academy’s firewall and filter now allow the use of Zoom on student accounts.
• On iPads, download the Zoom app. On Chromebooks, download the Zoom Chrome extension. PCs and Mac computers should automatically download the software required to run the meetings.
• Zoom requires the use of a device’s camera and microphone, which some parents and administrators have restricted. If you want your child(ren) to learn with live Zoom lessons, these restrictions must be lifted in your account settings.
• We acknowledge that this decision around privacy is one for a family to make, so recorded versions will also made available to all students on Canvas modules.

• All teachers will be available during scheduled hours via email.
• Students and parents with Gmail accounts (all students in grades 3-8 have these) can easily email or connect with their teachers via a Google Hangouts Meet.
• Watch this video to learn more about connecting with teachers this way.

Learning conversations in Zoom or Google chat need to be focused on the subject at hand (vs. setting up Fortnite dates) Here are our community expectations for chats:

• Be human and be kind to your teacher and friends in the chatbox.
• Use positive, kind language
• Keep your chat conversation to the topic at hand during the direct lesson, the chatbox is a learning tool. 
• Think before you type and remember the chat box is public.
• An online classroom is still a classroom, you are visible and responsible for your interactions with teachers and peers.

   

• We acknowledge that digital learning with young students may be tricky. However, their teachers are aware of this and they look forward to connecting with them and teaching them in age-appropriate ways.
• Young learners will need assistance logging into Canvas and properly navigating to the modules. Use this as an opportunity to demonstrate how to log into an account and correctly navigate to different pages.
• Email your child’s homeroom teacher if you have any questions or concerns about the digital learning program.