By Nick Yates, ISB Communications
Feedback has shown that the International School of Beijing’s (ISB) first ever Online Summer Program and Summer Music Institute was a tremendous success. Thank you to the hundreds of students who took the courses, the more than 60 ISB faculty members who facilitated them, and the parents who supported this learning so enthusiastically.
Responding to a survey about the Online Summer Program, 96 percent of parents agreed that their child enjoyed the course. Ninety-five percent either agreed or strongly agreed that they were satisfied with their child’s learning in the course. Ninety-six percent said they would encourage their child to participate in the Online Summer Program if it was offered again.
Eighty-two percent of students who responded to the survey either agreed or strongly agreed that the course they took was interesting, challenging, and engaging. Eighty-five percent either agreed or strongly agreed that they were satisfied with their learning.
Concerning the Music Institute, 94 percent of parents who responded to the survey either agreed or strongly agreed that their child enjoyed the experience. Ninety-four percent either agreed or strongly agreed that they were satisfied with their child’s learning in the Institute. And 93 percent said they would encourage their child to participate if it was offered again.
The Online Summer Program and Summer Music Institute was offered to ISB students free of charge in July. Students were able to pick from 55 different courses, along with music institutes for Elementary School (ES) Choir, ES Strings, ES Band, and Middle School Strings. Teachers designed their courses to include synchronous Zoom sessions with students, focusing on maximizing opportunities to have fun, be engaged, and build relationships.
ISB alumni also helped offer special courses to High School students on the topics of current events and career planning.
The surveys ISB conducted following the Online Summer Program and Music Institute are typical of the school’s efforts to gauge the success of its work and identify areas for improvement. ISB regularly asks community members for their feedback and acts on it to further enhance the school’s programs. During the period of online learning due to Covid-19, faculty have made a lot of adjustments based on surveys of teachers, students, and parents.
Well done to all involved in the Online Summer Program and Summer Music Institute!