HISE - The Hybrid-Instruction School Environment

The Smart Solution for Safe Re-opening of Schools and Colleges During the Covid-19 Pandemic

In response to the novel coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic of 2020, Harborside Technologies LLC has designed the Hybrid Instruction School Environment (HISE),
a unique plan to help school districts and colleges safely re-open their facilities with the following objectives in mind:

1. Get public schools up and running in a minimum of time, based on state and municipal benchmarks

2. Resume classroom learning and return to the curriculum as soon as possible

3. Establish a hybrid classroom environment integrating distance learning with in-classroom instruction

4. Provide adequate and ongoing professional development for teachers and staff, so they can effectively provide “live” classroom instruction in a hybrid in-class /distance learning environment

    HOW HISE WORKS: A Four-Phase Plan

PHASE 1 - CREATING THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING

Scenario A: 50% reduction in class size.

In the first phase of HISE, every school in a particular district may reduce the number of students physically present in each classroom by at least 50% of the total attendance for that class.

This will enable social distancing by increasing space between students and separating them from one another by at least 6 feet. 

For example, a classroom which normally accommodates 24 students would allow only 12 students to be present in the physical classroom, during the period that virus guidelines are in effect.

Scenario B: 66% reduction in class size

The school district may decide to reduce the number of students physically present in each classroom by at least 66% of the total attendance for that class.

For example, a classroom which normally accommodates 24 students would allow only 8 students to be present in the physical classroom, during the period that virus guidelines are in effect.

These scenarios also require that other areas in the school (gymnasiums, libraries, cafeterias) be used as temporary classrooms with social distancing in place.

School districts that need assistance with mapping school layouts for social distancing should contact Harborside. We can help!

PHASE II – THE HYBRID IN-CLASS AND DISTANCE LEARNING PROCESS

Scenario A:

While 50% of each school’s enrollment is in the physical classroom, the other half remains at home, attending the class online.

The two groups will simultaneously receive the same live classroom instruction in a hybrid distance learning environment.  Throughout the week, the two groups alternate days in attending school.

Students who are online will also be able to interact with the teacher and the in-classroom students.

Scenario B:

While 33% of each school’s enrollment is in the physical classroom, the other 66% remains at home, attending the class online.

The three groups will simultaneously receive the same live classroom instruction in a hybrid distance learning environment. 

Students who are online will also be able to interact with the teacher and the in-classroom students. A recommended schedule has been developed so that each group alternately attends school and receives “live” classroom instruction.

Specially configured “host” laptop computers would be placed in each school classroom to broadcast simultaneously “live” instruction over the internet to students with Chromebooks.

Teachers equipped with wireless headphones can interact with both distance learners and classroom students.

As an IBM business partner, Harborside plans to configure these host broadcast laptop computers for trouble-free use by teachers and staff.

PHASE III - ALTERNATING IN-CLASS AND DISTANCE INSTRUCTION

HISE provides both in-class and distance learning to the entire student body by combining traditional face-to-face classroom instruction with online learning for every student.

To do this, the school schedule would be designed to allow 50% of the students to attend in-class instruction on one day, then distance learning instruction the next day, alternating with the other half of the students in the same class.  

We have designed a similar schedule to allow 33% of the students of the students to attend in-class instruction, rotating their schedule through the week with the other 66% students that comprise of two groups.

This pattern ensures that all students receive the state-mandated number of instruction hours for the school year while also maintaining a normal class schedule.

All students also have the opportunity for in-person interaction with the teacher as well as for hands-on activities, such as science lab projects.

PHASE IV - HISE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

We realize that some school districts may face challenges adapting to our recommended hybrid instructional format, especially regarding the use of technology and developing online instructional materials.

Therefore, Harborside plans to provide ongoing virtual professional development for teachers, covering the following topics:

1. Learning how to use the IBM laptop as a host system for broadcasting classroom instruction over the internet.

2. Introduction to Distance Learning Applications

3. Introduction to Zoom, Team, and Skype distance learning tools.

4. Creating instructional online materials.

5. Understanding the internet

 HISE: THE WISE INVESTMENT FOR YOUR SCHOOL

HISE is a cost-effective resource that can fit most school budgets. Once in place, the plan can be an invaluable way to deliver education when the normal school routine is interrupted.

Here’s what HISE can do for your schools

• Provide an immediate plan for reopening schools and maintaining a normal school schedule during the coronavirus pandemic

• Offer a ready solution should there be additional outbreaks of the virus
  
  

• Be employed when schools are closed due to inclement weather conditions (i.e. snow, floods) or during long-term natural disasters (hurricane, tornados)

• Deliver “live” classroom instruction for students with disabilities who cannot attend a physical classroom

READY TO REOPEN?
Call Harborside and ask for HISE today!

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