SPOTLIGHT ON

We asked the community of dedicated, brilliant teachers over on our Facebook page to tell us some positive outcomes that have arisen from shifting to teaching remotely in response to the global pandemic.

Teachers are developing new skills

Teaching online has meant venturing in digital spaces, like Zoom or Google Classroom — sometimes for the first time — and trying out apps like Seesaw with students. It’s been a learning curve for some teachers, but a real positive for many.

‘We have all learnt many new ICT skills,’ noted one teacher, along with discovering just adaptable she can be in a time of crisis.

Another was enjoying incorporating more technology into their daily teaching routine, and several were glad to be learning new platforms and mastering new technologies.

Parent/teacher relationships are growing stronger

When you are appearing via screen in a family home, something changes.

One teacher told us they have been able to build better parent/teacher trust with a holistic approach, providing families not just with lesson plans and structure, but also basic essentials, meal packages, and check-in phone calls.

Another found that parents were really coming to understand the curriculum in new and deeper ways, and several thought that this situation was fostering a new appreciation for their children’s learning.

The teaching community is really coming together

There has been a move away from ‘feeling the need to be edu-preneurs,’ observed one teacher, as the community shares resources with each other without price tags.

Another teacher told us that their school teaching team is closer than ever: ‘conscious of the extra workload that it would place on our families, we really rallied together and supported each other.’

So many of you are appreciative of your team’s energy and attitude, and so are we. It really is true: teachers are stronger together.

Students are blossoming

Several teachers told us about students in their classrooms becoming more independent and appearing more resilient, smiling and being eager to learn.

Another teacher especially appreciated ‘having the opportunity to really connect with students, as they can email me privately and have a “chat” with me that way; or when they do come into school, there time for 1-to-1’ interaction.

‘Technology has given a “voice” to some of my more “voiceless’ students,’ said another. ‘The ones who normally wouldn’t contribute, who wouldn’t say much, who would struggle to complete work; are all of a sudden producing some amazing work and contributing to online discussions.’

There has been a greater focus on quality teaching and learning

One teacher was pleased to see a renewed focus on ‘what is best for the children’ through integrated learning.

‘Pedagogy has evolved to meet the needs of students learning at home and learning at school simultaneously,’ explained another. ‘The new knowledge and skills will complement traditional teaching methods when we return to face to face teaching.’

One teacher’s takeaways were especially impactful. During this time, they have realised ‘the true power of technology, coupled with effective pedagogy, in literacy in literacy and numeracy,’ plus, they have a renewed understanding of ‘the real value of sociocognitive learning, and the way humans learn through meaning, context, connections and relationships.’

Teachers are feeling appreciated and respected

Teachers don’t always get the kindest press, and it can be difficult for parents to really grasp the hard work done for their children’s education behind the scenes and in the classroom.

One teacher commented on the ‘new level of understanding and appreciation for what teachers do,’ with another relieved that teachers’ vital role, now accessible from the family home, could no longer be taken from granted.

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