Why can't secondary schools do lessons via zoom?

[Dickorydockwhatthe]

I know not every child will have access to a computer or be able to log online but I'm surprised our school has not attempted it or even pre recorded lessons like the online oakwork academy. I know most private schools are setting up lessons via zoom. I really hope the government and schools take this into consideration for our children especially those coming up for GCSE's next year. It's just seems our children will be disadvantaged.

I attended a zoom course last week. My friend was also on it and kept messaging me throughout. At one point there was a five minute video. I went to make a cup of tea. Then we got put into groups to discuss the video... And we are Masters educated adults in our 40’s.

I was fairly academic, but I can imagine even I would switch off and start doodling

I’ve had to volunteer to take the minutes at my dept meetings on Skype so that I make sure I’m paying attention - and I like my department meetings

Thanks Chloe, I will see if I can find who to email. The narration/video with power points sounds good.
As we know all children learn differently and I know as an adult it's been hard to motivate myself to work so it's hard expecting our children to. None of the work gets marked so there's no feed back so it must be hard for them to keep going. I think the concern is how long this will go on for and what can be done if we are none the closer to returning to education as it was. And yes I am concerned about my little darlings one is a year 10 student so will be taking his exams next year, we were in the process of applying for a statement but needed an Ed psychologist report so all that has been stopped and I have no idea what will happen now. He hasn't a clue about some subjects and it's bloody hard home schooling a 15 year who finds it hard and doesn't want to learn especially when you don't know yourself!! So excuse me for asking a question I've not asked before because like everyone else we've just quietly got on with it but if things don't change or if parents decide they don't want to send their child to school surely it's reasonable to ask why we can do this type of home learning if we are looking at it in a long term perspective. I am not dissing or bashing teachers BTW.

I do think universities are slightly different as there will be a greater level of independence and motivation from most learners.

However, I also suspect live/recorded lessons will also increase over the next half term for secondaries and should part time still be happening then in September too.

Theres been a lot of changes (with some rather terrible/changing guidance from government) and getting used to it all has been a challenge. Not to mention the hours I've spent on GCSE grade related admin and other tasks that wont be seen/appreciated by some.

As a result a lot of schools probably went with something more safe and stable to begin with as a platform to build on rather than try live full timetables and end up with loads of issues and (if it's even possible) more parental complaints.

We can/are now experimenting and trying live learning comfortable in the knowledge that we have a least set up consistent weekly learning for students that they can fall back on if it all goes wrong.

Well Terran if its been asked for the 75th time you are obviously not bored of the question seeing as you responded. Like I said I doubt very much there isn't a question that hasn't been asked on mumsnet before so screw me if I've asked again!!

My children's school say they were going to but then the unions said not to

Let every state school pupil fail

Shame all the private schools are not so held back by a desire to equalise failure

Reality = teachers probably didn't know how to and didn't want to learn. My kids teachers appear unable to use microsoft word very well.

Like I said I've used zoom with friends and I did a Web seminar and I thought it was OK. But then I'm not aware of other platforms it's all new to me. I don't get how Teams work to be honest work is just uploaded, with PowerPoints but not taught iywim.

Ds school does. But it's very monotone mundane. No kids listen nothing to keep them interested. Our Internet isn't brilliant so often lags out.

See? Another reason we don't do it! Parents criticise our delivery...

I keep putting this point across, and all the pro-Zoomers persist in ignoring it, because it doesn't suit their narrative.
My dh uses Zoom (and Teams) at his University. He has been told he is personally liable for any safeguarding issues that arise from its use.
How do posters propose solving that one for classroom teachers?

Let me drop some poison in your ear:
Fee paying schools are way ahead of state schools because they are paid for their services directly by their customers who also have high paying jobs to do.
They‘ve been using distance learning for weeks.

Widening the gap once more.

Teachers are being required to learn a whole new skillset very quickly. Perhaps the teacher that can't use Word very well is brilliant in the classroom...

So do you think pre recorded lessons will be the way forward?? Also my Friend is a tutor and does lessons via zoom and finds it works well. I know parents are paying but children who want to do it will won't they those who mess around probably won't even attend.

No live lessons because:

1. safeguarding, pupils posting porn, pupils or other household members accidentally or otherwise appearing in states of undress.

2. chance of misused screenshots.

(We made a 'we miss you' video for our pupils and it had been doctored within 48 hours).

3. some of our pupils don't even have the internet, never mind tech that works with zoom, and access to that at a set time.

No pre-recorded video because:

1. see 2 above

2. why would I spend hours recording myself when someone else will have already done I can just link to YouTube?

We are looking to use the Teams chat function (text only) soon, but it's taken quite a while to sort all the kids out with accounts (up til now they didn't even have school email addresses because of funding).

We surveyed parents and they don't want live lessons or video lessons anyway. I don't generally do anything during my lessons that I can't replicate in writing or find on YouTube, it's not like they can do practicals - which would usually be a good portion of most lessons.

Yes, I don't have a problem with her being shit at word. I just think she's never going to manage zoom, is she? Where's the honesty? Our staff aren't trained - not unions and safeguarding as excuses. And then get them trained. Expectations.

Pre recorded sessions are much more planning and time intensive for not necessarily something that is proven to be better.

Does it not matter then if some don't attend ?

Safeguarding is not an excuse!

My DC are getting their normal timetable of lessons on MS Teams from their state secondary (with all videos switched off). Is that really unusual?

I also think that for many teaching a lesson on zoom is very different to being in front of children in the classroom - as pp have said it’s a whole different skill set, which I think you can’t expect teachers to just pull out of their arses. It’s something you need to learn and prepare for and get used to. I’m very sociable and confident but personally find FaceTime and zoom extremely awkward. Some would find it easier than others.

OP, I have a Y10 too do understand some of the worry.
I'm also a School Governor. I was on a Xoom chat on Friday with the Governors, Head and SLT. Last week our School set up a mini recurring studio in the school building. From June 1st we will be launching a new timetable for Y7-10 using over 50 recorded videos with power point, tasks set and extended learning links. Feedback will be given too. Y10 will be able to choose their video depending on their Options.

I suspect many schools around the country will be doing similar (or are already).

When we asked for work logs to be emailed me the school have gauged that 50% of all pupils on roll have responded. I was a bit 😱 but Considering that Y13 and Y11 aren't in at the moment the SLT said they were pleasantly surprised.

We’re using audio embedded into word docs.
Then the word docs are printed out for those who have no tech - obvs they don’t get the additional benefit of audio, but they get the same resources and written instructions as children accessing it online.

2 different levels available- “supported” and “challenge” with a pared down super scaffolded booklet for the students who really struggle.

I think we have struck a really good balance.

*mini recording studio

Oh you know erm “safeguarding” (don’t private schools have to safeguard?!)..and erm “its hard” and basically they don’t want to do they won’t!

Qasd

50% of my kids don’t have access to WiFi and/or a device to work on.

Safeguarding is an excuse