Scottsburg schools to test eLearning in place of snow day

SCOTTSBURG, IN (WAVE) - In the past, when snow days left hallways empty, students may have turned to technology for entertainment while at home. Now, Scott County School District 2 Warriors will be testing Apple products as e-learning tools.

Students at Scottsburg High School are no stranger to e-learning in the classroom, but next month they will instead spend at least one day doing their technology-based school work from home.

"We're calling it a planned e-learning day," said Scott County School District 2 Superintendent Marc Slaton.

"I kind of like it," said Tristan Gentile, a senior at Scottsburg High School. "There's been days where I've been sick and I've actually been able to get more work done at home than at school just because sitting there I can focus."

With technology now rolled out at all grade levels, district leaders said they are ready to give the idea of replacing snow days with virtual e-learning days a district wide test run.

"Kindergarten to second grade," began SCSD2 eLearning Director Bobby Doriot, "they have iPad minis. From third grade to eighth grade, they have iPads and then 9th grade to 12th grade, they have Mac Books."

"We had a snow day back in November," said Slaton. "On Feb.16, we're going to do a virtual e-learning day."

"Teachers," began Doriot, "one option they have is to put things in their class resources. So there's, for example a power point. There's a video."

Since not all students have internet access, Doriot said this time around they will receive some slack.

"You know, the internet not being 100 percent, you kind of have to approach it that way," said Doriot.

Teachers on the other hand, will be required to report to work.

"Our teachers are still going to be on call," said Scottsburg High School Principal Ric Manns. "They're going to be here and answering office hours. So if a kid calls and they can't get an answer about something they'll call here into the school and we'll patch them into the teacher and they'll help them through it."

Manns said that would allow students to access help as needed while still making the most of their day off, or rather, day outside of school.

"I can get it all done within just two or three hours," said Gentile. "I like that."

While the e-learning day is set for a snow make-up day on Feb. 16, district staff said if winter weather cancels classes in the near future, a traditional snow day will take place.

Copyright 2015 WAVE 3 News. All rights reserved.