Clay County School Distance Learning Plan

Daily student interaction and maintaining regular learning hours are guidelines the state set for a distance learning plan.

Clay County School Director Matt Eldridge said although the spring semester was difficult, forcing the school district to compile distance learning options helped school officials feel more prepared for this school year.

“Unfortunately this has come about, but it has spring boarded most districts a lot farther,” Eldridge said. “It’s forced all of us to get ourselves in a better way to go for this virtual learning.”

Eldridge said part of their plan is to provide all students a Chromebook. He said all teachers will use Google Classroom as a virtual learning platform.

Using Google Classroom allows the student to interact with the teacher during class time. Eldridge said this distance learning plan is elevating the school district to a new level.

“That student will log in, the teacher will grant them access, and they’ll be watching the teacher just like the other children are watching the teacher,” Eldridge said. “If they got a question, they can push a button on their monitor and they can raise their hand. It shows that they’ve got a question, [the teacher] can interact with them just like they were sitting in the classroom, which will be a great help.”

Over three years ago, a Clay County survey showed nearly 5 percent of residents didn’t have internet access. Eldridge said that’s a lot less than what he was expecting. He said Twin Lakes provided free internet access during the spring semester.

The deadline for school districts to submit a distance learning plan is July 24.