It has been ten days since Primary School Savremena switched to distance learning due to the coronavirus pandemic. Although the starting point when creating the Distance Learning (DL) Platform was not an extreme situation such as this one, this unique learning assistance platform has been an invaluable aid in these extraordinary circumstances.

Something that was devised as an additional teaching aid became a substitute for classrooms and workshops overnight. This, however, hasn’t affected the quantity and quality of teaching. On the contrary, the bond and the familial relationship between the students and the teachers strengthened through live stream in real time and the video archive, motivating Savremena’s students to continue learning.

And to be even more interested than their parents could have imagined.

SAVREMENA’S PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS FULL OF ENTHUSIASM FOR WORKING AT HOME

As we have said, the DL Platform was designed as a teaching aid; however, the extraordinary circumstances we’re in have modified its use. We had to react quickly, as we were dealing with the most valuable thing to us, the health and safety of our students, which, together with top-quality education, are paramount to Primary School Savremena.

“The situation is a bit unusual, since we’ve got to know each other in the past eight months. We’re sad that we cannot see each other at the school, but it’s for the best. Savremena’s primary students have accepted the newly created situation and adapted well to the new learning methods, which is why we are able to follow the curriculum without any problems”, says Persida Petrović, Year 2 teacher.

Milena Tarbuk, Primary School Savremena’s counsellor, confirms that everyone adjusted even better than expected.

“In these uncharted territories, it is highly important that the students be in constant communication with their teachers, as well as with their schoolmates, in various groups, chats and research projects. The question was how the students would react. And they reacted even better than the adults could have imagined, since, let’s not forget it, the young generations are actually digital natives. They are full of enthusiasm and show unity when physically apart; they help and encourage each other, celebrate their achievements and eagerly expect each interaction with the teachers”, says Milena Tarbuk.

HOPING TO SEE YOU SOON IN THE CLASSROOMS

Jasmina Franolić, the principal of Primary School Savremena, is proud of the teachers who modified their modus operandi impressively quickly. However, the true superheroes are Savremena’s primary students.

“At Primary School Savremena, we are all proud of our students who have accepted the newly created situation and switched to the DL Platform. Their teachers are right: our students are little geniuses and champions, and it’s a real pleasure working with them”, says principal Jasmina Franolić.

We hope this situation will end soon and that we will be back in our classrooms in no time. Nevertheless, we are fully prepared to continue our DL lessons with the same enthusiasm and quality level for however long it may be necessary.