FCPS to drop Blackboard Learn 24-7
After suspending distance learning last week due to problems with logging in and security, Brabrand assured the community on April 16 that the system would operate smoothly when online classes were set to resume today. That there were still glitches was “frustrating and disappointing for everyone,” he wrote in a message to the community.
Beginning tomorrow, teachers will not be providing face-to-face instruction, and instead will provide other learning opportunities via a variety of platforms.
With support from the school board, Brabrand said he is initiating a comprehensive, outside review of the distance learning rollout to be conducted by Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, a law firm with expertise in information technology and cybersecurity. That report, to be submitted within the next few weeks, “will guide our continued work in distance learning.”
Brabrand is also creating a Superintendent’s Technology Advisory Council “to offer guidance to help resolve any current distance learning challenges and provide ongoing support to enhance distance learning in a K-12 environment.”
Related story: Schools and students continue to have problems with distance learning
The council will have three co-chairs: Bobbie Kilberg, president and CEO of the Northern Virginia Technology Council; Andrew Ko, managing director of Global Education at Amazon Web Services; and Amy Gilliland, president of General Dynamics IT.
The council will meet regularly to advise Brabrand on best practices in technology architecture and infrastructure, examine emerging software that will enhance online learning opportunities, and recommend cutting-edge educational technology for teachers and students. The council will also examine successful private sector experiences that can be applied to the K-12 environment.
Meanwhile, teachers, school-based technology specialists, and other support staff will continue to provide creative instructional opportunities to students through a variety of other tools, such as Google Classroom, prerecorded videos, learning packets, eBooks, and other approved digital resources, as well as directing students to programming on Channels 21, 25, and 99.
Related story: FCPS apologizes for distance learning failure
FCPS will also provide virtual instruction through a secure Blackboard Collaborate Ultra link or through other alternative means during the transition away from the Blackboard Learn 24/7 system. Teachers will contact students over the next several days about virtual learning opportunities and the platform that will be used.
“Although the start of virtual distance learning has not gone as planned,” Brabrand says, “I am incredibly grateful to our teachers and support staff for the tremendous amount of hard work, long hours, and the learning provided to our students thus far.”
Creating councils and outside reviews is for the next Administration. How about some accountability- Some people need to step down and/or be fired.
FCPS is a big fat bureaucratic mess that keeps asking to be fec more tax payer dollars every year. And this what we get; lets now add councils. FCPS get smart, go on a diet and trim your fat, the org has become an overweight and sickly beast!
I heard Arlington schools were able to quickly transition to online learning smoothly with none of these issues.