US Plans
Upper School Distance Learning
At Taipei American School, we are proud to deliver our high-quality education and fulfill our mission. We are also proud that we will be able to do so under exceptional circumstances that may require partial or full campus closure. In such circumstances, our commitment is to provide an alternative means of education in the form of the Distance Learning Plan. Distance Learning designates the experience students will have when school remains in session but when students are unable to physically attend school because of campus closure. While Distance Learning does not replicate onsite learning, our teachers can deliver powerful instruction that allows students to meet expected standards in an online environment.
Schedule
Class days will continue to occur on an A and B day schedule. Classes will continue to meet in the same order and on the same day as previously. However, there is a different meeting schedule during distance learning. All times are Taiwan Standard Time.
Period 1 - 9:00 to 10:00
Period 2 - 10:10 to 11:10
Period 3 - 11:20 to 12:20
Period 4 - 12:30 to 1:30
Period 5 - 1:40 to 2:40
Office Hours - 2:40 to 3:30
Wednesdays from 2:45 to 3:00 - Advisory Group
Time Planning
- The one hour time for each class meeting may include video conferencing as the teacher’s Canvas calendar indicates.
- Assignment / homework times beyond the time of scheduled meetings will be consistent with those expected when the campus is not closed.
Assignments
- All assignments will be posted in our Learning Management System – Canvas. This is true even when other tools (Zoom, OneNote, etc.) are part of the activity.
- After the first distance learning day, teachers will post all assignments 2 school days in advance. All assignments, regardless of how they are conducted, will appear in the Canvas calendar.
- Classes will continue to meet by section.
- Students will have direct contact with their teachers through both real time conferencing, viewing teacher created videos and through other activities.
- Students are encouraged to communicate with their teachers during Office Hours and to respond to teacher requests to schedule additional meetings.
- Homework assignments are due at the start of the class meeting on the due date.
- During distance learning, late work will be penalized according to the teacher's late work policy.
- If a student is unable to participate due to illness, this should be reported via the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
Attendance
- Any student whose assignment is not submitted by the beginning of the class period will be considered absent.
- If a student misses two consecutive assignments, the teacher will follow up with the student, parent, counselor, and academic administration.
- A student does not need to connect to the class at that time unless a synchronous activity has been scheduled for that period.
- If a teacher hosts a Zoom session during class time, all students are expected to attend.
Resources
Students should have access to their laptops with an appropriate internet connection. If there are technical problems, many of the learning tasks can still be accomplished provided an alternative computer with internet access is available.
All digital tools currently in use may continue to be applied.
In the event of technical issues, the first point of contact will be the teacher so that effective support can be provided.
Academic Support
Academic Support teachers will continue to meet with their students throughout the distance learning period. These meetings will take place as scheduled between the support teacher and the student.
Supporting Students during Distance Learning
It is important that students continue to maintain a consistent work environment. We know this can be a difficult time for students and their families.
Please support your student in seeking help when necessary from their teachers, advisors, counselors and other support staff.
Encourage appropriate breaks, rest and exercise.
If social opportunities are available, they also can be valuable.