Weekly Digest #38 Missed a Digest? Read #37 here. Read #36 here.

Manager updates

#1 New Look EF Classroom: US Server Launch Dates

Thanks for all of your hard work on the release so far. The new look classroom was released to Private Lessons on the CN server on September 22. All CN server lessons have now been converted to this interface. Please see below for updated US server rollout dates and bear in mind that each date is dependent on the success of the preceding stage. The US server trial commences today and all involved centres and teachers have been informed. We will reach out on 28 September to confirm the success of the trial or to advise on updated rollout dates. Let us know if you have any questions. Teachers should continue to avoid using incognito mode to enter and allow cookies in their browser. In addition, there is a known bug in the Notes Pod which causes the cursor to revert to the top of the area when text is pasted in. We are working with the team to ensure these bugs are resolved as soon as possible. Sohail and Matina

#2 EF Classroom: Two Known Bugs Repeat

As with all scale-ups, bugs may pop up and we will work with the team to spot and squish them. One bug that teachers may want to be aware of: 1. Incognito Mode and Class Entry (Fix Targeted: 24 Sept) The EVC team have identified a bug regarding the use of incognito mode resulting in teachers being unable to enter the classroom. Could you inform teachers to revert to using the normal browser mode and to enable cookies to ensure that they are able to enter classes? We estimate that a fix will be released by EOD 24 September (China Time) which will better support Chrome Incognito mode (or if teachers select "Block third-party cookies" in Chrome normal mode). This date is subject to confirmation. Until this release is confirmed, teachers should use the normal browser mode and check that "Allow all cookies" is selected in Chrome's Privacy and security settings. Here is an example of how to enable cookies in Chrome:

2. Notes pod copy and paste (Fix Targeted: 30 Sept) When teachers copy text into the Notes Pod, and there is enough text present that a scroll bar appears, pasting text will cause the scroll bar to revert to the top. If this long-winded explanation was not revealing, here is a video of me replicating said bug. The team have been working to eliminate this bug and hope to have it remedied in the coming weeks. This bug is live, however, so teachers will have to work around it until a fix is deployed. We will keep you informed. Sohail

#3 Classroom Content Refresh: Beginner PL

Over the coming months, classroom content for GL and PL lessons will get a fresh look. See sample below. Beginner level GL and PL content are both live. Elementary level content is due to be updated by the end of September. Let me know if you have any questions. Laura

#4 Urgent Case Process

Over the past few months, we have received cases about inappropriate student behavior. To support teachers and centres in responding swiftly to these types of cases please follow the Urgent Case process outlined below: Step 1 Teacher reports student behavior case. Step 2 If the case is a level 3 in severity (see a table with example case types below), then center managers email the CR team (Emma and Manli) to escalate the case. Step 3 Emma and Manli communicate with Central CR from BUs immediately to take action and prevent similar situations from happening again. Further details about urgent case workflow can be found here. If you need a pdf version of the workflow, then please contact us. Please let us know if you have any questions. Emma and Manli

#5 Teacher First Training Update

Teacher First, our exciting new scheduling platform has a new launch date for next year. As such, we will be pausing developing training for now as features are being finalised, and will resume closer to the launch date. The centre review tracker will be updated accordingly in due course. A million thanks to all centres for your insightful, constructive feedback on the modules developed so far! You have really helped shape this new style of training as we continue to improve the quality we provide to our teachers. Matina

#6 Academic Forum: Save a Date

Thank you for promoting the NPS survey to teachers. As mentioned in the Kick-Off, I will email centre managers with their centre’s NPS data by 4th October 2021. To create a space where we share ideas related to teacher engagement, we will host an online Academic Forum. More details to come. For now, please save a date for Wednesday 20th October, 2 pm-3.30 pm CET time for the Academic Forum in your calendars. Laura

#7 World Teachers' Day Digital Posters

We have created colourful digital posters and banners for World Teachers’ Day (October 5th). See the example poster below. If you would like to use these digital posters in your centre's newsletter then please contact me and I will share them with you. If you would like me to personalise something for you (I.e. format, size, content, etc.), then please let me know.  Bea

#8 Central Team Update: National Day

As the Chinese National Day is approaching, the team in Shanghai is ready to take a long break from Friday, October 1st to Thursday, October 7th. Please kindly see details of when the Shanghai team will be working, and please make sure to reach out in advance if you need any support or expect a delay in response. Thank you. Shanghai team

About the Digest

The Digest comes from the EF Teach Online Central Team. For questions related to content in this edition, please reach out to the article author. Do you have a question or suggestion for the Weekly Digest? Email Laura.

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