Remote Classes Enable Advanced and Repetitive Learning
Fully Utilize Advantages, Complete Assignments Diligently
First Mock Test on the 24th This Month
Decisions Needed on Curriculum, Extracurriculars, Essays, and CSAT Selection
On the 9th, when middle and high schools nationwide began online classes starting with 3rd-year high school and 3rd-year middle school students, teachers and students held an online opening ceremony at Junghwa Middle School in Jungnang-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
Remote classes for 3rd-year high school and 3rd-year middle school students began on the 9th. If there was some confusion due to the four postponements of the school opening and uncertain information, now is the time to switch back to exam preparation mode. Since full-scale school life has started even with online opening, it is necessary to set up your own study plan and prepare for entrance exams.
◆Attend remote classes diligently= Except for interactive classes, uploaded remote classes can be accessed anytime. However, it is natural that if you keep postponing, it will become difficult to catch up with the curriculum. If teachers can check the learning process or results during remote classes, they can evaluate or record them in the school life record (student record), so it is important to attend well.
Remote classes are divided into interactive classes, content-based classes, and assignment-based classes. Interactive classes are real-time video classes between teachers and students based on a platform, content-based classes are divided into lecture-type and lecture activity-type. In the lecture-type, students study designated recorded lectures or learning content, and teachers check progress and provide feedback. In the lecture activity-type, students watch learning content and then participate in remote discussions through comments, etc. Assignment-based classes involve giving assignments online and completing them.
Most teachers are expected to conduct lecture-type classes using content. This class method involves students listening to lectures uploaded on the Learning Management System (LMS) such as EBS Online Learning Center or e-Hakseupter and completing assignments. It has less burden due to sudden technical errors. Since teachers upload most of the class content in advance, students can even do advanced learning if they want. Also, if they do not fully understand, they can listen again and supplement the lacking parts.
On the 9th, when all middle and high schools nationwide started online classes beginning with 3rd-year high school and 3rd-year middle school students, a teacher is conducting an online class in a classroom at Seoul Girls' High School in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
Remote classes may be reflected in written exams conducted after school reopening, so students should listen carefully and complete assignments diligently. If a teacher uses assignments completed by students during remote classes for teaching and directly observes or confirms them, they will be recorded in the student record.
◆Decide on the college admission screening method in advance= Since a month has been delayed, it is better to decide as soon as possible whether to choose early admission or regular admission. According to the operation status of screening types announced by the Ministry of Education in November last year, student record-based curriculum screening accounted for 42.4%, comprehensive screening 24.9%, CSAT 20.4%, practical skills 7.8%, and essay 3.2%. The internal grades that determine student record-based curriculum screening are influenced by performance assessments and written exams, but since the weighting of performance assessments may be adjusted, the proportion of written exams is expected to increase. The Ministry of Education has allowed each metropolitan and provincial education office to adjust the weighting of performance assessments to reduce student burden after school reopening. Accordingly, the weight of performance assessments in internal grades will decrease, and written exam scores will have a greater impact. The Ministry expects that midterm exams can be held in classrooms by the end of May.
If you are considering the comprehensive student record screening, it will be helpful to carefully review your student record from 1st and 2nd year of high school and plan activities that can be supplemented during the remaining period after school reopening. Kim Byung-jin, director of the Etoos Education Evaluation Research Institute, said, "It is difficult to carry out grand activities in a short time, so it is better to plan mainly around club activities and volunteer work that you have been doing."
Check for changes in desired school screening dates
University briefings also available online
The first mock exam, known as the 'college admission barometer,' will be held on April 24. This exam, usually held in March, allowed students to understand their standing, but it has been postponed by about a month. Although delayed, this exam will allow students to reconsider whether to focus on curriculum, put more weight on extracurricular activities, or concentrate on essays or the CSAT. Woo Yeon-cheol, director of the Jinhaksa Admission Strategy Research Institute, said, "Detailed abilities and special notes on curriculum or extracurricular activities are based on activities within the school, and since students cannot control these in remote class situations, it is necessary to consider how to decide from the big picture of early or regular admission."
◆Check for changes in college admission schedules= The deadline for early admission student record submission has been postponed from August 31 to September 16, about 16 days later. The application period has also been extended from September 23 to 29. Compared to the schedule announced in 2018, the early admission period is expected to be shortened by about 3 days, and the regular and additional admission periods by about 11 days. The revised college admission schedule will be finalized and announced by the Korea Council for University Education and the Korea Council for College Education in April.
University briefings for prospective applicants can now be attended from home. Most university admission plan briefings will be conducted as online videos. Yonsei University Admissions Office announced that on the 17th at 2 p.m., the admission plan will be released on the admissions office website and YouTube channel. Since most other universities also announce through online channels, it is necessary to check the schedule in advance.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
