The school is shut, will your kid actually do any work set?

[noblegiraffe]

Lots of talk about schools ‘remote teaching’ and ‘setting work for the kids’. Very little discussion about whether the kids will actually engage.

My own primary kids would do some work because I’ll make them, but teenagers left in the house by themselves? Are they really going to be putting in hours each day?

I’m a teacher and I have no idea how work would be set remotely.

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/03/10/us/covid-19-seattle-washington-home-schooling-remote.html shows how it works in one area.

Some more info and suggestions from Microsoft
www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2020/03/11/helping-teachers-students-switch-remote-learning/

No, secondary. We don’t have any sort of virtual platform - we are a bit behind in that sense! I’m sure the school leaders are putting things in place though.

My dd's school (she is in A level year) has no virtual platform at all. Half the kids don't even know how to access school email.

If they aren't already LEA's and schools should be working together. Instead of having 5 schools open, have X amount of schools open so that children and staff who aren't ill can get there.

Yes, it would be a bit of a nightmare, especially the first week. There should be enough teachers in that year from the school to ensure very little disruption to their education. They will of course still have support staff. Yea some days, it might mean they watch a film, but fuck it, those who have to work to keep things running can.

And of course, the situation is properly monitored by someone who knows what they are doing and has some common sense.

And talking about the support staff. So the school closes down. The teachers are doing virtual lessons. What about the Ta's, midday meals, the 1-2-1's?

There have already been talks from NHS that staff will, unfortunately, have to step up to cover the workload for those who are ill or if the schools close. We already know how bad things go when emergency services are overworked and understaffed.

And before anyone misinterprets my meaning. I am categorically not equating education to childcare. They are two very different things, and what I really hated about working in education, was this attitude from some.

Although not sure it would work in some of the schools I've been to. The Heads will still be arguing amongst themselves about who is taking the lead after the Easter holidays 🤣

Instead of having 5 schools open, have X amount of schools open so that children and staff who aren't ill can get there.

None of them are ill. That's not the point of closing schools.

I’m a teacher and I have no idea how work would be set remotely.

This raises another dilemma. Not all schools are set up for this. Not all teachers will know-how. Some will require training. When?

Do the schools have enough devices for their staff members? Not all teachers own their own equipment. And what happens when their child has a virtual lesson at 11, and the teacher has to teach at 11. Who gets priority?

I know it's not the point in closing schools. And you really don't know if any of the staff/pupils are ill.

But to close them down completely is unrealistic. But shouldn't be long before we hear something and then start planning for the shit show that is about to erupt.

That is not the point in closing schools. The objective is social distancing and for people to stay at home. Has nothing to do with being ill.

Closing down schools is possible. My dd has had no school since 23rd January (online learning). If we have learnt one thing from this virus nightmare it’s that nothing is impossible, difficult, yes, but not impossible.

I know it's not about being ill but social distancing.

We've already read people will be volunteering to have their mates kids. Ok, some are stopping at 8 or 9 children.
Next thing a couple of parents get together before you know it, you have a couple of classes together.

Look at how many people are dismissing it as 'just the flu'. The same people who take out their still infection from chicken pox cos it's 'harmless'.

At least if some schools are left open it can be monitored a bit more closely. I'm not talking about travelling to your usual school that's 20 minutes away. The LEA can work out high child areas, open a school in the middle. Those closest attend there. Kind of like a Designated area.

I am hoping this makes sense cos I'm having difficulties explaining it.

Online learning is fab for those schools/teachers/parents who have the access and resources for this.

Online access won't accept Controlled course work towards exams.

The school does not have to be set up for virtual learning for their own teachers to set their own lessons though do they? That would be nice but not essential.

They can tell the parents which general online learning packages to use. Ideally the government pays for the licenses.

I have a teacher friend who lives here and teaches in China. Remote teaching is normal in many places. Those agencies might ramp up here.

@ffswhatnext
Ime (China resident) closing schools will be most effective as one part of social distancing. As you say, it’s less effective if groups are getting together outside school. In China kids stayed at home because nothing was open, an adult was likely to be home as businesses were shut and entry gates on compounds stopped non residents entering.