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.

Realistically op, how would zoom lessons help your son?

My DD, in her final year at uni, had a few zoom lectures and didn't like them but they were at least the same format as normal ie lecturer talking at the participants for an hour. Secondary school lessons aren't like that are they? The teacher doesn't stand at the front of the class and talk at the students for an hour. Would your son get individualised help during a zoom lesson?

Then consider the safeguarding issues - on line you can see examples of what students have been doing during these lessons - some just being silly but disruptive, others using inappropriate backgrounds, others messing around with the technology to cause disruption, one student got a teacher to log themselves out of the lesson and then they couldn't rejoin, others have seen other household members saying or doing inappropriate things eg swearing or walking around in underwear.

My son is a secondary school teacher, as he said, in January if a student had said they were video chatting with a teacher whilst sat in their bedroom wearing pyjamas serious concerns would be raised. Now apparently it's the way to go.

Safeguarding is a very genuine concern, not an excuse. I suspect you have never had a student use technology to superimpose your head onto a porn scene? It happened to my very close colleague.

I am not sure whether we are talking at cross purposes : I mean safeguarding is not 'an excuse'. It is a reason.

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.

In addition to emailing your DS’s Science teacher (your DS will know their email address) I would also get in contact with support at the school and have a chat with them to see what else can be put in place to help your DS (obviously for after half term) and in addition to whatever face to face time he will have next half term.

Yes, private schools do have to safeguard. Which is absolutely why my DH's private school has no Zoom, uses teams and no faces at all on screen.

Piggy I'm not sure if you're referring to my post, but my comment wasn't aimed at you, but another poster. Maybe I misinterpreted their point, but I thought they were implying that teachers are using safeguarding as an excuse not to use Zoom.

Wasn't there a poster on here somewhere, who started a thread about her dh who thought it was funny to photo-bomb their dd's school lesson (KS1) by pulling faces and doing bunny ears behind her head, thereby distracting every single child trying to concentrate on what the teacher was saying?

I think I got everything muddled as I was also referring to that poster when I said 'safeguarding is not an excuse' so wanted to clear up that it is! Or isn't! Depending on how you take the word excuse!

There are so many issues with it. Our schools tried it.

Here's the issue we encountered.

Child must be supervised by an adult - this is difficult when you've 5 children.

One child per room in household - having 2 main rooms in my house, they weren't happy for us to use bedrooms.

No other disturbances in the room, so if in kitchen someone can't use the electricals or be in the background. This is also why they want one child per room.

Internet speed - everyone using it, slows it down, resulting in lagging and dropped connections.

Each child needs a phone, tablet, any pc, this isn't possible with 5 kids.

Changing the picture onscreen, I've seen mine put fake deer ears and horns on heads and faces.

Everyone talking over each other, it starts out fine but with lags someone gets cut off, someone isn't heard, there is always one person doing all the talking and it's never the teacher.

Teachers that teach more than one subject have more work to do.

Swapping between teachers for different subjects always caused connection issues.

Getting a suitable time for everyone was a nightmare, fine if you have one child or even 2. But anymore it becomes ridiculous.

You also just know that any parent currently demanding zoom lessons would be the first baying for blood if their child was exposed to something inappropriate during said lesson eg the porn hacking that was going on, or people doing things in the background.

DH is teaching a full timetable to his secondary students via teams. I’m working when he’s not with a 4 and a 2 year old at home. It’s a bit weird hearing His students ask questions but it’s working well for the school so far. All subjects that are able are teaching this way.

I will be interested to know what the school are planning in the longer term which I know is difficult when the government don't give much notice but I do think we need to adapt and teachers are good at adapting. Well thanks for explaining to me about zoom lessons like I've said I used it a couple of times and assume that those who would want to learn would attend and listen as I found it OK but obviously I teach pre schoolers not secondary hence why I'm asking why it wouldn't work not bashing schools!! And if private were using this it seems unfair that our children will be disadvantaged, but I guess that applies to those with no technology or parental support. I wonder how are children will be supported when they go back with transitions and exams 😔

that are able is interesting.. which ones aren't ? asking for a friend

I'm not sure how they teach via Teams what's the difference between that and zoom?? We only have files uploaded. Our resources are here there and everywhere some on teams, office, downloads etc

I'm not sure how they teach via Teams what's the difference between that and zoom??

Zoom is pretty much just a video live stream service. Teams has that facility but also just allows you to send work, get work back and mark on it etc.
Also, Teams has end to end encryption. Zoom doesn’t. Even Whats App has end to end encryption.

Teachers have their own children too. What will they do whilst their parent is zooming?

I wonder how are children will be supported when they go back with transitions and exams

We are doing our best to prepare for this. Would be made easier if the Department of Education would let us know what the examination/syllabus plans are for next year sooner rather than later.

Thank you Chloe 😊

Has anyone asked the private schools how they are managing safe guarding issues?

Instead of negativity, what workable solutions do the teachers who are obviously on this thread see happening?

Part time school attendance, (if it's even offered) isnt workable longterm and not having a solution puts parents at risk of future discrimination in the workplace, but as this would be a hidden statistic likely no-one would care.

Many kids are continuing with extracurricular activities such as music and dance lessons via zoom. Businesses are conducting meetings and training sessions with multiple attendees. Yes it's not an ideal substitute for face to face but some contact and interaction is better than none. I don't understand why schools such an aversion to this.

Teachers have their own children too. What will they do whilst their parent is zooming?

What do you think the children of parents who have been working from home for the last 8 weeks have been doing?

Many kids are continuing with extracurricular activities such as music and dance lessons via zoom

The kids who have extra curricular music and dance activities tend to come from the type of family where there is WiFi and a device to use.

I repeat: 50% of the kids in my school do not have that.

Still no answer to my question as to who is liable for any safeguarding issues that may arise? The Unions may not help, as their advice has been very clear: don't use it. Schools/LEAs won't.
I hope everyone who's going along with it has extensive legal cover on their home insurance.

@SmileEachDay

Could their pupil premium not be able to be used to cover/provide that?

@SmileEachDay I would hazard a guess that the majority of secondary kids have some kind of smartphone or tablet. Even pre lockdown all of DCs homework was set via an online app I think this this the system for most secondary schools.