Zoom

[isittooearlyforgin]

Hi everyone,
Just wondering if anyone is using zoom with kids for a one on one chat with kids with their parents present, if it’s safe or if there are any easy to use alternatives. Thanks

No, it's not safe, no not really.

Do you need to "see" the pupils?

Apparently there have been examples of conference calls being hacked and porn put on display. It is still a product in development security wise. Microsoft Teams is a lot more secure

We use Teams. There are ways to make Zoom more secure but if you have access to teams I’d use that.

We have google classroom and have used hangouts for video calls

Not a teacher but work in education. No zoom, only teams.

Is Teams accessible for parents who only have phone or iPad? I do think I need to see kids or rather they to see me as they are reception and so wouldn’t necessarily feel engaged by voice alone

Yes teams can be accessed through a weblink on a browser if you have permissions to add guests. Your IT lead should be able to advise though.

Your other option is Loom
Free Pro version for teachers

Record lessons in advance.

Kids can watch and rewind/replay. It can be voice over PowerPoint or you as a mini window video too.

Thank you x

Can I just point out that dh's workplace (a university) is "thrilled" that staff are teaching via Zoom, but have told them that any GDPR issues resulting won't be supported by them, and that individual lecturers are liable.

You can use teams using video link on an android phone at least- I'm not sure if it would work on apple products, though.

Teach Stream is far safer - www.teachstream.co.uk

DH uses Teams and his work have provided an iPhone so I assume he can do calls on that.

I don't think it's Zoom per se, but live teaching that could present the issue.

I've recently experienced Zoom being bombed with film of child abuse. Please don't risk it.

How about skype.? Or skype for business?
LAs should really be giving schools advice about this issue!

I’ve used zoom daily since the lockdown (other than in the Easter holidays) with my 6th form groups and have had no problems. As long as certain security elements are in place, it’s fine. I have zoom pro. Only people with the ID and password can access it. I set different IDs for each meeting. I had waiting room enabled so no one can access the meeting without my admitting them.

It‘a like any other platform - if you have safety features enabled, it’s far less of a risk.

I’m managing to keep my students busy and on the right tracks in this way, and have had 100% attendance and engagement.

@EvilTwins yes I think it's probably safe if you do all of that, as far as I can see. There does need to be more guidance readily available. Presumably as criminal cases start to increase some might be issued!

Isn't there some national teacher guidance on video lesssons, can't remember where it came from though?

The guidance from the NEU was basically “don’t do video lessons”. I was quite disappointed that it wasn’t more nuanced. It’s looking like there could be a need for online learning for well over a year (not continuously). Just saying “don’t use video” is fine for 10 days of school before Easter holidays but I think we are in this for the long-haul and really need to balance the benefits of the human contact against the risks. If done in a way that minimises risks, I think the benefits of live teaching make it worthwhile. I am also using Tams video or audio meetings to do welfare checks and catch up with students who are struggling.

*Teams

The guidance from the NEU was basically “don’t do video lessons”. I was quite disappointed that it wasn’t more nuanced

The unions are very cautious about innovations which present a safeguarding risk. In fact, everyone should be. Once we’ve all had time to properly consider the risks and mitigation strategies then the advice can become more nuanced. But given how quickly everything shifted it really is wrong to blame unions for being cautious.

eviltwins, I’ve been using those precautions too, though I’ve only done voice-only zoom sessions so far. Are you recording the session on your school network? I haven’t so far, but I’m considering it.

It’s good to be cautious about safeguarding but actually there are big benefits to student wellbeing from making use of teams/zoom/Skype/whatever. In terms of teaching lessons that way, our students have said it helps them keep a routine and feel supported in their learning. In terms of pastoral support, it allows us to have conversations with students who are struggling including arranging small group chats or Q&A with staff for those worried about exams or their learning, or wanting to ask about what’s going to happen next. We don’t have the answers to a lot of the questions but can reassure them and give them a chance to offload some of their worries. I think it’s going to be really important for some of our more vulnerable students.

It would be great if the government could organise their own video teaching app thing aswell, instead of relying on businesses to do this ( and relying on profit making businesses to keep children safe doesn't seem a great idea).

Omg Strawberry that’s awful was it a private zoom or a work thing? (Please say it wasn’t a lesson!)

OceanOrchid I am recording some sessions but not all. For example, today, I had a session with my yr 12s that I didn’t record, then did a quiz with all of them (I teach in a specialist 16-19 setting so “all of them” is 30) which I didn’t record but then two of the yr 12s did an assessed presentation so I recorded that. The week before the holiday we did a lesson where we were looking at something new so I recorded that and uploaded it to a shared folder in google drive so that all the students could access it for info.

I share the zoom links with SLT so they can drop in at any point.