Education in Lockdown 3.0
The lessons we’ve learned and the route forward
Much like 2020, we find ourselves staring down the barrel of months of lost classroom learning, the cancellation of summer exams and another generation of students who will not have the opportunity to learn, or have a platform to demonstrate their knowledge come summer exam season. We are in the midst of a nation-wide crisis unfolding yet again; perhaps this time, with the benefit of hindsight and extra months to prepare, we can do justice for our students. The evidence for this optimism seems somewhat lacking but let’s look at what we’ve learned and what we can expect this time around.
The outlook for education in 2021
Instead of returning to school in the new year, students face further lockdown learning. Schools are set to keep their doors closed through January, February and quite potentially through March as well. Schools are required to teach remotely with the exception of vulnerable children and the children of key workers who will be permitted to continue to attend school. As we saw from the last lockdown, some schools are better equipped than others to deliver such lessons. The disparity in learning opportunity is unforgivable but the experience for all students is far below that which we would normally expect. It is against this background that the government has announced that it will cancel Year 6 SATs tests and that GCSE and A Level exams will also face another year of absence. Instead, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson will look to schools to provide Teachers’ Estimated Grades. Quite what this looks like we don’t know and it’s unlikely that we’ll find out any time soon.
What should students in Years 11 and 13 do to set themselves up for success this year?
Students will be awarded grades for the GCSEs and A Levels that they would have sat. Last year, the infamous algorithm meant that many students missed out on university places unfairly and thankfully that has been scrapped but we can expect that similar metrics will be used this year to inform schools of the likely performance of students. So, what exactly should you be encouraging your children to focus on?
Mock exams are a sure-fire way to prove students’ ability. Of course, it’s not a fair or impartial assessment because schools approach mocks differently but, in this article, I am focusing on how you can personally plan for the success of your children. Persuading your children to take their mock examinations seriously will pay dividends if they can achieve scores that provide evidence for their target grades.
Homework submissions will also take on higher importance. Where mock exams have not yet been sat, it may be that in some cases, homework between now and June will form the main basis for Teachers’ Estimated Grades. This means that students can’t go through the motions as they make their submissions. Instead, they should take a break after lessons finish; refresh, unwind and be in the right mindset before settling down to produce their best work.
Classroom participation is the final piece of the jigsaw. We’re not talking here about dominating every single classroom conversation and asking a multitude of questions. Let’s start with the basics. Turn up on time with microphone and camera on (if that is indeed what the school requires). Keep the camera on and don’t leave the room for a quick glass of water or any similar reason. The golden rule here is that if you wouldn’t do it in school, don’t do it online. Teachers want an easy decision at the end of the day so being present (physically and mentally) is an easy way to give teachers the excuse to give students the grades they need.
The Libra Online School.
Over the past 12 months, we have seen more parents turning to our dedicated Online School to support students through the turmoil of Covid-19. As an accredited school (with the British Accreditation Council), we are assessed annually to ensure the quality of our education, management and welfare. What we have seen is that whilst schools are rapidly improving their online provision, this process is laborious. Lesson resources have to be edited and digitised and the practice of teaching online is very different from classroom management.
Students no longer have a teacher peering over the shoulder to give them the informal learning moments that perhaps matter most. In a classroom of 10 – 30 students, the teacher must focus on everyone, however, they can offer micro 1-2-1 moments during activities to correct individual errors. This is hugely motivating and is an effective teaching method. For this reason, all lessons at the Libra Online School are carried out with one teacher per student and lessons are recorded allowing students to refer back to key learning points. We recognise the importance of 1-2-1 coaching whether it’s online or in a classroom and so we put this at the heart of the Libra Online School.
Top Tips For Students.
Set goals - Think about what you want to achieve in each subject and consider how you will work towards achieving these goals.
Be efficient - Work smarter not harder. Use tools such as our favourite Pomodoro Timer to work effectively in short bursts that maximise learning and minimise screen time.
Reduce distractions - leave your phone across the room. Shut your emails. Whatever it takes, shut out the pull of distractions from your study time.
Keep active - make sure you exercise every day. Whether it’s a short walk or a long run, staying fit physically will help you stay healthy mentally.
Communicate - working from home doesn’t mean working alone. Speak to your friends and your parents to share your ideas, learn from each other and collaboration on projects.
Top Tips For Parents.
Whether in a classroom or a dedicated 1-2-1 lesson, there are a number of ways that you can support your children to succeed when learning online.
Create a routine - help your children to create a routine and help them to stick to it.
Reduce screen time - encourage regular breaks away from a screen by playing physical games and activities. This can help children to blow off steam before they get back down to work.
Celebrate the best of online - use purpose-built digital resources but always have a notepad and pen handy to keep children ‘classroom ready’ for when Covid finally is behind us.
Learning zone - it’s not always possible but try and have a designated learning area where students can focus. Where this isn’t possible, clear away work at the end of the day to give children a mental separation between work and rest.
Don’t reinvent the wheel - there is a mountain of resources available completely free of charge. From BBC Bitesize to TES you can find everything you need: it already exists so use it!
For more information on the Libra Online School or for tips on how to manage online learning, contact us today.
020 3488 3611