I. General Information
School Name: EBUS Academy
School District: SD#91 Nechako Lakes
Inquiry Team Members: Sean Margison: smargison@sd91.bc.ca
Stephanie Carpenter
Ashley Kennedy
Jose Han
Tyler Clark
Danielle Stier
Lina Iannarilli
Inquiry Team Contact Email: smargison@sd91.bc.ca
II. Inquiry Project Information
Type of Inquiry: NOIIE Case Study
Grade Levels Addressed Through Inquiry: Secondary (8-12)
Curricular Areas Addressed: Not applicable
Focus Addressed: Core competencies (for example, thinking, communication, personal and social), Other: Building Community Within an Online Middle Years Program
In one sentence, what was your focus for the year? Our key question involved whether or not student engagement could be increased by increasing the student’s sense of belonging and community.
III. Spirals of Inquiry Details
Scanning: We conducted a survey to find out students’ feelings about adult connections, peer connections, meaningful learning, ideal learning days, and what they would redesign if they could. One key finding was that only 15% of students who responded felt connected to other students within the school.
Focus: In the Scanning phase, several students pointed out various social opportunities that are realistic to introduce in an online setting. We will be introducing the “Middle Years Lounge” next year, and will have a discussion board for students to interact to check-in prompts from staff, as well as share work that they are proud of. The MY Lounge will also be a place to join a biweekly MY Hangout, and students will also be able to access a variety of different clubs offered at EBUS Academy.
Hunch: Our hunch is that online learners still want a social connection, but may need more intentional, visible, and low-pressure structures to create that connection.
New Professional Learning: This spiral is still in progress, and we will be learning about how to use BrightSpace, the learning platform used at our school, to continue to create opportunities for our students to create connections with staff and other students.
Taking Action: We have now set up a new “Course”, called the “MY Lounge”, that all Grade 7-9 students will be added to. This will not be an actual course, but will be a place for students to interact with other students and staff. We have set up a biweekly Teams meeting, which will be advertised and promoted with the MY Lounge.
Checking: This is something that we will enquire about early in the school year. We will conduct another survey to see if students are feeling more of a connection with other students and with staff.
Reflections/Advice: As mentioned, this inquiry is still in progress, and we will continue it in September with the start of the MY Lounge.