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.

@ProfessorSillyStuff

Sounds like you're doing a lot and the children are lucky to have the service you're providing in lieu of something better, but I guess the role of teacher has evolved and you're no longer comfortable with the job. This reminds me of the uproar at Muslim teachers "hiding" their face with wearing hijab in the classroom, and students not being able to recieve the lesson well. Are the ones that criticised it also the ones who will fight for teachers to be allowed to hide their faces now? My kids aren't in school so I don't have a personal issue with it. I'm amazed that you guys do such a difficult job for the pittance you're given. I always assumed you were doing it because it was your lifes meaning and purpose to teach but I guess not! For those who have children of school age and were counting on the school system to educate them I send my heartfelt best wishes. I really do feel for you and your kids and think each of you should now abandon the schools, as if they aren't providing the services then why should they all be getting paid? They've clearly abandoned your kids, because to them it's just a paycheck after all.

But why is live better?

It might be better for some children, it's not for others.

I'm not hiding my face - it's not relevant to the learning.

And no, I don't have a problem with the hijab for students or teachers. Lots of ours do wear them. I presume you mean the burka though? And no, wouldn't bother me.

Our school cannot simply because not all students have a laptop at home. Over half the students are on fsm.

The schools in the borough are following the guidelines and have been from day one thankfully. Mental health is priority. The exam boards have established this, consultations with exam boards closed yesterday to push all exams back etc for when learning starts.

Blimey. Poor old Hogarth.

it's disappointing because you should realise how important your face is. You're missing the main tool of your trade if you don't have it. Your ability to inspire and connect, is so much more important than all the knowledge in your head, because we have the Internet for that now.

Its also so strange when people still don't realise that the Internet and real life are the same. If your kids are making an embarrassing video with photoshop then they would still be doing an equivalent behind your back without the internet. If you can't earn kids respect and love so they don't want to do that then you shouldn't be teaching.

@ProfessorSillyStuff

cause yknow, when hogarth, was under attack from death eaters, old mcgonnagal immediately turned tail, stating "oh no gotta hide my face, gotta protect my identity in case the death eaters photoshop my face onto a house elf's naked body or even worse, find out where I live!" No, she lived in the fricking school, because it's her life's purpose to protect and educate. You are the example for the kids. No wonder we live in a nation of purposeless wet squibs.

I don't actually mind if the kids find out where I live.

I do mind if my abusive parent finds out, because of PTSD from ACE and the very real physical threat they pose.

Could you explain why seeing my face will help the kids learn better? Or address the 9 points I made earlier?

I don’t blame teachers wanting to protect your identities.
The abuse online hurled is insane and often lots of threats to life

Loads on threads in here going back years - I’m fucking fuming with child’s teachers, lucky other people around. Would fucking punch the cunt etc.

First thing public sector workers are adviced hide your sm. Some don’t of course it’s their right, then someone finds them and the abuse starts. And the gossip starts - omg Mr X was clubbing all night on Saturday and batshit people wanting the poor sod to be sacked. Never mind the batshit people who don’t want him there cos well, man.

I really needed a laugh today and reading a post berating teachers for not comparing to a fictional professor at a wizarding school (still not clear on the whole "Hogarth" thing but hey ho) and claiming that as evidence for the uselessness of the profession has absolutely tickled me pink. I don't think I could have written a better satirical post if I tried.

And the hysteria about hijabs (this word does not mean what you think it means)! Passive aggressive comments about teacher motivation! Patronising praise for providing lessons in lieu of something "better".

It's just chef's kiss levels of perfection. I love it.

I know right I'm not too good at explaining myself. And I'm really good at confusing and making people a bit mad. I actually don't mean to. I just get very passionate. I don't mean to bring religion into this debate... that was more just a meander, sorry. I don't like to see double standards anywhere.
I should explain that I have autism and so might put my point across in a way that isn't the norm.
I still think my points are valid.
I'm sorry to hear that some have got abuse in their past. I have too but don't hide from them. Things deesculated and they are not obsessed with me any longer. My situation could be different.
For those giving a live lesson wouldn't be appropriate of course. My only idea for that so far is to work as a team and that teacher takes a non public facing role. I think that's a flawed idea though. I will think on the problem more. There must be a better solution. I feel bad for the kids.

OK here's my solution. You're not going to like it, I don't like it but I think everyone must be braver. Yes, even the one with abusive past and ptsd.
Stop living your life out of fear. The end.

ProfessorSillyStuff

You’re wrong. Read the thread and see some of the reasons teachers have given for not doing live lessons. And stop being rude to people on the internet.

[quote MNnicknameforCVthreads]@Noconceptofnormal sums it up pretty well. State school teachers have had it pretty easy this lockdown.

FWIW our state secondary is starting live lesson next week, not many however, maybe 2 a week![/quote]
I agree, sums it up pretty well by saying "I don't believe it." That's really the sum of all this, it doesn't matter what lots of professionals are saying, certain people just don't and won't believe.

I wish my dc school would do online live lessons. He is declining in his work, not massively but any decline to me, even if small is a problem, and it is because he may not understand something and would be easier for him if the teacher was able to explain In real time. It wouldn’t surprise me if he is put back a set but I will be livid if this is the case as this way of learning isn’t working for him so shouldn’t be put back because of it.

That said this is also a school that is refusing to issue the free Microsoft that is Available which is beyond my comprehension so I shouldn’t expect much more.. if pupils need it, ( which several parents do) and it is free, why not make this available. From what I can see it doesn’t appear to be a long winded process, you just sign up and issue the codes

• Sorry I mean several parents have said they do need it for their children

I will think on the problem more. There must be a better solution. I feel bad for the kids

Do you not think that those people with years of education/teaching experience might just know a little more than you about what works and what doesn’t?

Do you not think that every class and school is different with different cohorts and problems? That an inner city school may face challenges that a few paying boarding school doesn’t?

I suggest you concentrate on you.

I will do that. However before I posted my comment I considered the true importance of education. Is it worth getting into danger over?
I would ask you to read the story of Malala, who thought it was.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malala_Yousafzai

Someone mentioned the school won’t give them free Microsoft.
You don’t need the school for this.
Students can get this in their own right.

For the purposes of completing work that isn’t based on a Microsoft lesson, there are a number of free alternatives, open office and apache open office are two I can think of.

It could also be that although the school has it they don’t know how to use it in this way. Not their fault either. Finding time to get together for training on a normal term is hard.

Try google docs

Free gmail account

Same as word

Try the names again for the free ones

Apache open office writer
Libre office writer

@ProfessorSillyStuff

OK here's my solution. You're not going to like it, I don't like it but I think everyone must be braver. Yes, even the one with abusive past and ptsd. Stop living your life out of fear. The end.

Oh shit. If only I'd thought of that before

Online live lessons are best if the school can ensure kids have the tech. Lots of schools have computers they could loan out, or is without computers at home could be prioritised to come back when the next batch of students re-enter. There is no substitute for interaction, and kids benefit from having structure in their day.

Who here knew that JK Rowling was a victim of abuse prior to writing Harry Potter. She fled from Portugal to Scotland with her infant daughter.
Imagine if she let this put her off becoming a successful writer.

It's not good to fold so easily. Not an example I want my kids to learn from. Sorry if that's harsh but that's how I feel. I can be afraid. I know how it feels, but I won't let it effect my decisions.

Does anyone have a bingo card for this? I'm pretty sure it'd be filled up on the last two pages alone.

I am rendered slightly speechless.

For those who have children of school age and were counting on the school system to educate them I send my heartfelt best wishes. I really do feel for you and your kids and think each of you should now abandon the schools, as if they aren't providing the services then why should they all be getting paid? They've clearly abandoned your kids, because to them it's just a paycheck after all.

I have school aged children, and you really do not need to send your heartfelt best wishes.

Our children have not been abandoned, they are being supported by their parents and their teachers to continue their education at home, to the best of all our abilities, and they are excelling.

They don't need live lessons, or zoom, they need work set, to complete that work, contacting their teacher if need be for further guidance, or each other, or their parents. They need to take responsibility for managing their time and ensuring they return the completed work to the teacher by the time required. They need to ask for more work/extension, if required. They need feedback from the teacher as to the work submitted, and regular assessment.

All this is happening. A child's education is a three legged stool, all three, parents, teachers, and child are required to engage.