Office 365 for better cooperation between teachers and children
UNICEF supporting the use of online communication and learning tools in educational institutions
- Crnogorski
- English
KOTOR, 5 OCTOBER 2020, Podgorica – When teachers and students in Montenegro suddenly found themselves having to engage in distance learning due to the coronavirus pandemic, there were numerous questions and concerns about how to organize teaching in a quality way. One of the challenges was to organize teaching in a uniform way, so that all students and teachers are using the same digital tools for working and communication. This issue is confirmed by an Ipsos survey of Montenegrin parents regarding schooling during COVID-19, which was conducted in September of this year, in which parents stated that distance learning was proving difficult for their children because several different platforms for communication and cooperation between children and teachers have been in use.
In order to support teachers to organize teaching during the coronavirus pandemic in a uniform manner, the Ministry of Education, with the support of UNICEF, organized training on the use of the Office 365 software suite for more than 2,000 employees in educational institutions.
Njegos Elementary School in Kotor says that its teachers have recognized the need for professional development and the improvement of digital skills, in order to properly respond to the challenges that the school year has brought.
The advantage of using Office 365 at the level of the entire education system is reflected in the fact that all teachers in Montenegro have accounts and this has greatly facilitated the conducting of training activities. Work in this environment is designed so that the end-user no longer has to think about the programs he is using, but only about how to accomplish his daily tasks and planned activities.
The uniform use of digital distance learning tools has made it much easier for students to follow classes.
The Office 365 application is excellent and easy-to-use and has several options that suit students: video lessons, the OneNote notebook and other benefits.
Marta has been following classes from home during the COVID-19 pandemic using an online platform where lesson plans, assignments and tests have been posted.
Her mother Dragana Borovic is satisfied with the new tool that Marta is using in everyday learning.
The program is well-designed, easy-to-use, and offers countless opportunities for both children and parents.
Dragana adds that, thanks to Office 365, she can follow more easily her child's work and communication with teachers.
The Ministry of Education states that the benefit of this program is that it gives teachers the opportunity to organize the entire teaching process – to create tests, share schoolwork and homework, as well as to organize meetings with parents, teachers’ council sessions, etc. On the other hand, it makes communication much easier for students.
The Office 365 application gives students the opportunity to communicate with all teachers and other students within one environment, but also with the principal and the school pedagogue/psychologist. In this way, all services are available to students and the students can be assisted equally, regardless of the circumstances.
The Ministry of Education has provided all schools with the opportunity to use Office 365 and, in cooperation with UNICEF, a two-day training programme for teachers has been created and several video tutorials have been designed and can be found at www.digitalnaskola.edu.me.
