Remote/Distance Learning Policy 

Remote Learning Policy 

We have devised a new Remote/Distance Learning Policy to reflect the changed circumstances brought about by Covid-19 and the significant increase in the use of technology to continue learning. This policy does not introduce any new concepts, rather, it specifically outlines the various applications used for the delivery of online classes remotely. 

Introduction 

This document sets out the policy of Riverside Training (Spalding) Ltd in respect of use of technology for distance or remote teaching and learning during the current Coronavirus stay at home instruction as well as the current offer of remote learning. Hereafter referred to as “Remote/Distance eLearning”  

Scope of this Policy 

This policy covers any aspect of student distance learning as used by Riverside Training (Spalding) Ltd Staff. 

The list of applications that will be used for distance learning will primarily be: 

• Office365, incorporating: 
• Microsoft Outlook (e-mail) 
• Microsoft Teams 
• Microsoft OneNote 
• Microsoft Forms 
• Microsoft Stream 
• Laser Learning platform 
• Zoom or Teams for live online sessions 

There may be some additional applications that tutors may use, and the tutor will provide the learner with the information required to access them.  

eLearning Approach 

eLearning will take what is known as a blended approach and some tutors may use different methods more than another tutor. For example: 

• Some tutors may use regular live classes while others may not
• Some tutors may use live classes through Zoom while others may use Teams 
• Some tutors may distribute work as weekly bulk assignments while others may do monthly homework-style tasks. 

In all cases the primary aim is to cover the required curriculum areas for their specific apprenticeship. The tutor will decide the most effective method to use to achieve this aim taking into account learners requirements. Learners should get in touch with their teacher right away if they are having difficulty with any aspect of their subject or if they are finding the workload unmanageable. 

Everyone’s Responsibilities while partaking in eLearning 

For staff and tutors: 

• Tutors have overall control of the online interaction of their class 
• Disruptive learners will be removed in order to allow those who wish to partake a fair chance to do so. Repeatedly disruptive learners may receive a temporary ban from all live online access. 
• Tutors will do their utmost to be available at the identified time on their assessment planning sheets – this may be via a Zoom live video, through Teams chat or by e-mail. 

For Learners: 

• You are to communicate through your tutors @riversidetrainingspalding.co.uk account only.  
• Do not engage in communications with any account other than an @riversidetrainingspalding.co.uk email account and report any such activity to your tutor or managing directors @riversidetrainingspalding.co.uk e-mail account 
• You must always be civil and respectful to your tutors and fellow learners You will be removed to the waiting room with any ongoing misbehaviour 
• You are not to record or forward any content within a Teams group – such as worksheets, exam papers, answers, solutions, videos, notes or Zoom links – to anyone else without the permission of the creator of that content 
• You understand that all your online activity is recorded. This includes anything you send or say via e-mail, Teams, Zoom and OneNote, and whether you are checking regularly for assigned work. 

For Employers: 

• You should ensure that your learner is checking in regularly for assigned work 
• Where live classes are being run you should ensure learner is in an area of the setting that is quiet and free from distractions. Please remind your apprentices be mindful of Child Protection Guidelines, for example, bedrooms should not be used for live sessions 
• Live online classes should be viewed by your learner only. 

Live Online Classes 

Tutors may deliver some of the course “live” using Zoom or Teams. This will use varying combinations of audio, video, virtual whiteboards and screencasts. 

In the use of Zoom: 

• Learners must always follow the direction of their tutor just as in the training room sessions. 
• Learners are not to turn on their video at any time 
• Learners are not to turn on their microphone unless the tutor invites them to do so. In any case, all microphones should be on mute when a person is not speaking to avoid distracting background noise being broadcast to everyone. 
• A Zoom link is intended for the learner only. The tutor will decide who should receive the link. Do not forward any link to anyone else. 
• All Zoom sessions are recorded, and these recordings may be made available by the tutor to the class to watch back again later.  This recording includes any video, screenshares, whiteboards and audio from the class. 
• Only the tutor is allowed record a session. No-one else is permitted to record. 

Data Privacy Statement 

Our Distance Learning Policy operates in addition to the Internet Acceptable Use Policy and Information Exchange Policy which are available from our website. For clarity, we will outline aspects specific to Remote/Distance Learning but this should be read alongside our existing policies mentioned above. 

What we retain: 

• Login activity, specifically, the last time a learner logged in to their laser learning account  
• Within laser Learning, Teams and OneNote, the date and time of if/when a tutor views any assignments or OneNote notebooks set for them and when they submit any work for same 
• In live classes using Zoom or Teams, all audio, video, whiteboard, annotations and screenshare activity of both tutor and participants (audio/video is not recorded if the learner is on mute and the video is not enabled). 

Why we retain it: 

• To assist us in making sure learners are engaging in learning sufficiently and in good time 
• To assist us in generating appropriate and relevant feedback to employers on progress 
• To provide revision materials by means of replying topics covered in a live session, and to ensure those who might be unable to attend live sessions can still cover the same content as the rest of their colleagues 
• To provide a record of activity in the event of a disciplinary or other issue arising during a live class. 

Where we retain it: 

• All recordings are kept within Riverside Training (Spalding) Ltd own systems which requires a valid login to access 
• Riverside Training (Spalding) Ltd own systems are configured so that all data resides within an EU country only, which in the case of Office365, is Ireland. 

How long we retain it for: 

• Ordinarily this is cleared at the end of each exam session In any case, activity and content will not be retained beyond the learners exit from Riverside Training (Spalding) Ltd either through early exit or through achievement.