To wonder why schools are saying they’re not allowed to do live lessons

[Plinkplonkplank]

Because they’ve just started doing them at my ds’s state secondary. We had to fill in an online permission form. So it is possible after all.

If all the people moaning about no live lessons could purchase a few hundred laptops and a WiFi connection for each school for all the children from disadvantaged backgrounds that would be very generous of you, thank you

Amazing that you’re offering

@june2008 I am not having a pop, I am just presenting the evidence - such as it is.

I agree that students like hearing our voices, most if not all of our lessons include us on video. We also interact on teams.

Yes I remember this discussion pre the GE. Part of the argument was that it would be beneficial to state education to have all these private school parents involved, who would demand improvements and raise standards

This crisis has shown that argument up for the disingenuous rubbish that it was. Parents demanding better quality online provision are being stonewalled and ignored

Well. That’s an argument for maintaining the two tier system I’ve not heard before.

Our school is providing four live lessons a day for ds, plus a pastoral session for a done who needs it. Via Teams, the security is a bit better than Zoom I think.

My friends who teach at private schools have been teaching on Microsoft teams since lockdown, my state school teacher friends are on rotas to babysit the key worker kids and spend a small amount of time sending assignments home which are optional and not marked, most lessons are via online packages they subscribe to. I was talking to a friend earlier who was saying he was dreading having to go back to work as he's only working less than 2 days a week currently and loving it!

Don't we all know one teacher who isn't working hard....do you have team members who are not working as hard as they should ...what about dentists...I have a dentist friend who doesn't want to go back, isn't happy with PPE and isn't going to work...what about my admin friend, who can get her work completed in 2 hours and doesn't do anything for the rest of the day..of course, no just teachers.

I've given an objective view of the work that is going on in education, I've given you links to the mass of government guidance for schools and for you as parents...waste of time, let's not read any of it as this might just make you realise that you are wrong, or that it isn't as simple as you think.

I have also advised that if you are not happy with your child's school,then complain to them. The complaints procedure is on the school website. If this doesn't bring about a satisfactory response, you have the option to move your child.

I'm out, complete waste of time.

A lot of primary schools don't have the technical infrastructure in place nor the training required to use it.

I typed a massive response and lost it , good job that as a teacher I have nothing to do.

I was talking to a friend earlier who was saying he was dreading having to go back to work as he's only working less than 2 days a week currently and loving it!

I don't think this is typical. I am not a teacher who works harder than most because I have a family and they come first.

But over a fortnight this is what I do as a head of department:

1. record and make resources for 20 hours of lessons. My department do the rest between them. This includes for each lesson ( usually) a starter quiz. worksheet to fill in, a video and a powerpoint.

2. Provide feedback to KS3 every few lessons, to be honest it tends to be most if not all as it is quick to do on teams

3. on top of their 5 hours of lessons GCSE do an exam question every week which is marked and feedback given

4. A level do an essay each fortnight - again marked and feedback given

5. I either record a video or interact with my tutor group daily

6. I am available on teams whenever a class have a lesson to answer questions

7. I have about various meetings to attend online over a fortnight about 7 hours

8. I spend at least 4-6 hours on online training and CPD

9. I am planning: adapting our curriuculum for next year

That is clearly not 2 days a week and clearly a busy full time role.

Learning...is learning just by 'lessons'. Of course not, this is just what I want for my children and for the children I teach.
Time, quality, learning through interest, broad, practical, inspiring, creative thinking, purpose, real...this is how education should be.

This sums it up, the starting points, the learning from this would be amazing.
So taking one statement from the piece below...the garden...a keen interest..the maths, the writing, the reading, painting, crafts, research skills, design..,what an amazing chance to learn.

*If they cancel the rest of the school year, students would miss approx 13 weeks of education. Many people are concerned about students falling behind because of this. Yes, they may fall behind when it comes to classroom education...but fall behind who ?

BUT WHAT IF ....

What if instead of falling “behind", this group of kids are ADVANCED because of this? Hear me out.

What if they have more empathy, they enjoy family connection, they can be more creative and entertain themselves, they love to read, they love to express themselves in writing.

What if they enjoy the simple things, like their own garden and sitting near a window in the quiet.

What if they notice the birds and the dates the different flowers emerge, and the calming renewal of a gentle rain shower?

What if this generation are the ones to learn to cook, organize their space, do their laundry, and keep a well run home?

What is they learn to ride a bike, play a board game, do simple crafts, learn to bake, climb a tree, play without a screen?

What if they learn to Understand the value of money, what’s important and to live with less?

What if they learn to plan shopping trips and meals at home.

What if they learn the value of eating together as a family and finding the good to share in the small delights of the everyday?

What if they learn to just be, to be more resilient, to be content ?

What if they are the ones to place great value on our teachers and educational professionals, librarians, public servants and the previously invisible essential support workers like truck drivers, grocers, logistics, and health care workers and their supporting staff, just to name a few of the millions taking care of us right now while we are sheltered in place?

What if among these children, a great leader emerges who had the benefit of a slower pace and a simpler life to truly learn what really matters in this life?

What if they are AHEAD? 🙏🏼🏡♥️🏫'

This survey response from teacher tapp which is admittedly self selecting challenges the idea that teachers are at home doing nothing

A couple of my child’s outside school clubs are doing zoom every week, my shy quiet child tried it once and hated it and has refused ever since, would rather miss out then do it through zoom. This would be the same for school they would not want to join in so unfortunately it wouldn’t work for every child.

@PleasancePark whilst that is lovely for many children it is unfortunately pie in the sky bollocks. They are not doing all those lovely things. They are sleeping until midday and then watching netflix and or gaming.

I know as a teacher that we have to do the best job possible - that just does not have to include live teaching. It could do but does not have to.

Pleasance - there have been many lovely things for my 14 year old in this time

Yet she is taking GCSEs soon and needs to do some practical work for so I’d like some live lessons soon

I loved your post pleasance

Fault of the education system in the first place though Twin, a curriculum that doesn't spark interest, build resilience or independence.

Of course, supporting your own children to learn through their interests takes effort...

Some of my students are really shining at the moment. I miss seeing them but it’s been an absolute pleasure to hear from them and see the amazing work they’ve been doing with a bit more space to think creatively.

B.O.R.I.N.G

June, anyway is surely better than no way.

Last week secondary dc was given her first live lesson. We've had to wait for this long, weeks and weeks and weeks and weeks for a teacher to give one live lesson!!
Weeks!! Whilst schools around us did it from day one.

We've also waited weeks and weeks and weeks for some guided learning from primary school. Again last week and to great fanfare we were furnished with an actually decent bit of work to get through and yet people around us, their primary managed this from day one.

Can anyone explain why one school with high no of fsm etc can give out packs every week and the other, Wealthy faith school cannot manage this.

Yet we've been bullied into... Miss one day of education... And your child will be doomed for life!!

It's appalling!!
Disgraceful! They should have to explain themselves. Who is holding these schools accountable! Who is monitoring what provision they are providing!!

Titwillybumpoo Speak for yourself about voting for Boris, I certainly didn't vote for him.

Swiftsseason

Can anyone explain why one school with high no of fsm etc can give out packs every week and the other, Wealthy faith school cannot manage this.

Only the school will be able to give you an answer.

I think what you write is applicable to younger children Pleasance.

Even with secondary kids we’ve enjoyed our time together and explored as many different learning avenues as we can.

But now it’s been long. My kids need structure and proper learning from school. What I have to offer is no longer enough.

Our school is offering next to nothing. Bare minimum. Not even that. With no marking or live contact with teachers my 2 have lost the will to learn.

We are looking at 3 more months of this. At the very least.

I’m sad for them and starting to feel unnerved by the lack of concern from so many schools/ teachers/ government etc

Well as long as they can prance about in the rain and do a bit of laundry they’ll all be ok...

Sorry, the calming renewal of a gentle shower.

In between the working from home home it's been wonderful having us all together, baking, sowing seeds, etc.

However the reality for me is that one dd is massively behind and we have been denied guidance or help.

The other dc whilst being a strong student who is enjoys learning has found the way she is issued work very confusing and hard without teacher response

Unfortunately, teachers can be shit, schools can be crap. They need to be held accountable and be responsible.

I don't have think either child's education journey has been satisfactory and with a few gems, unfortunately it's been coloured by sheer arrogance from the head and teaching staff.

Indeed delatron.

I'll issue the school with pleasance post when we want one day off school for a holiday.