The use of technologies for distance education can assist schools in combating the avian A (H1N1)

Prof. Dr. ª Maria Rita Lino Tárcia

Tax advisor of the Brazilian Association of Distance Education – ABED

Aiming to contain influenza A (H1N1), minimizing the conditions of infection and ensure the health of students, the State Department of Education, from guidelines of the State Department of Health, decided to postpone the start of the semester in two weeks in public schools and recommended that happened in private schools.

Like everything in life has two sides, while the decision contributes to the actions of disease control on the other hand, brings a problem for schools, this related to compliance with the school calendar and educational activities planned.

One way to solve this problem is in the pedagogical use of technologies in distance education. Schools may, through its portals on the Internet or through virtual environments, and enhance guidance on the necessary precautions to avoid contagion from the flu, propose to hold activities.

Although the proposal seems simple, it should be noted that some aspects should be observed by the team teaching and the teachers regarding the use of technologies for distance education to help deal with a situation that can be considered emergency.

Teachers should propose activities that students have in fact able to carry out unattended, and make a proposal of didactic activity in detail and with the objectives and procedures.

If teachers do not consider appropriate to continue the program started in the first half or start new content using also new, can guide the study of students in order to resume or review what was discussed and worked during the class.

Another interesting option is to assist the students of short videos related to the content already worked, so as to deepen them or review them.

Imagine how students would react if they could watch a film of short duration in which the teacher gives guidance on the work to be done and delivered at the start of classes. The teacher may use up to a podcast: he can do a short tour and write explanations of a topic or activity.

Even as a way to cope with influenza A (H1N1), coordinators, managers and physicians can record video with comments and care should be taken at home and return to school, already in the school environment.

These are some of the possibilities that technologies aimed at offering distance education, not to mention the emails that teachers can send directly to the students making comments and propositions about school work. Can also be sent messages by cellphone. Imagine the surprise if the students receive on their cell phones, messages from the team teaching with explanations on the measures necessary to control influenza A (H1N1)! They feel that the team is concerned with them and feel it would close it.

All these suggestions are set as a new way of working with the knowledge, approach the students and to take an emergency situation to spread knowledge and to education.

The decision to extend the period of leave was important, no doubt. However, we can not ignore that many students were already in the bag and the “spirit” prepared to return to school, then why lose the preparation by the students? Why not make a differentiated education that contributes to the formation of our students and are aligned with their profile: digital natives.

Before denying, it may be interesting experience.