Information Technology (IT) Improvements @ RFS
By Salim Zughayer – IT Manager
Sept. 22 – Ramallah: Since the announcement of a state of emergency in Palestine on March 6th 2020 and the closure of schools, Ramallah Friends School has put intense attention on improving and developing our IT systems and services to empower our distance learning program.
RFS staff was able to make an immediate transition from face-to-face learning to full online teaching in March within days of the arrival of COVID-19 in Palestine. Starting with the Upper School, students started receiving online lessons and instruction through constant communication with their teachers while safe at home.
As the school year came to an end without students being able to reach our campuses, the school began preparing for another challenging school year to come. Nobody knew, or knows, whether this school year 2020-2021 was to be taught online, face-to-face or blended. With that realization, RFS prepared for many scenarios and our IT Department held a vital role in helping our teachers and school provide the best quality education possible through any of the suggested scenarios.
The following are some of the improvements and developments Ramallah Friends School’s IT department has introduced since March 2020:
1. Integrating Edunation Platform
The integration and combining of Edunation platform with virtual classroom to become one application now able to serve our community as a school management system and virtual classroom application.
2. Teacher Training Sessions
Full training sessions in several levels were given to all of our teachers and staff on using several virtual teaching programs and systems.
3. Introduction of Google Meet
The application of Google Meet (an enterprise-grade video conference application) for all teachers, staff and administration members, as well as all students in grades 3rd -12th .
4. Installment of Cameras in Classrooms
The installment of video cameras in all Lower and Upper school classrooms to enable online teaching for any students unable to reach the campuses.
5. Hardware Upgrade
Several forms of hardware upgrade to improve online education.
6. Laptops for Teachers & Staff
120 Laptops were donated by friends in the community and will be distributed to staff memebrs.
7. Internet Speed
The strengthening of internet speed up to the speed of upload/download 100 mbps.
8. Google Classroom Application
The introduction of Google Classroom Application for student assignments and exams.
9. 3000 Edunation Accounts
All RFS students and parents received access to personal Edunation accounts, which are web based and mobile applications, to facilitate online lessons, reaching the total of 3000 accounts.
10. Touchpads (Wacom) – Arriving soon!
Scheduled to arrive soon, these touchpads offer convenient navigation with a digital stylus and can be used to sketch and write while teaching online.
11. Class Schedules: different class schedules were organized and implemented to fit the new blended, synchronous and asynchronous learning on campus and online.*
