The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in schools closing their doors across the world. As a result, education changed dramatically with a shift from traditional classroom learning to a time of fast-paced changes and unforeseen challenges.
Teachers were tasked with the seemingly impossible – to adapt and deliver education in a new testing learning online environment with parents and carers being more involved than ever before.
The Allambi Learning Centre was also required to move its operations online when the lockdown was enforced recently this term. Our amazing teachers & education staff were required to shift their focus to online platforms such as Zoom and Seesaw and were set with the monstrous task of engaging our most vulnerable over a computer screen.
We asked the education team a few questions about their experience so far.
The most challenging aspect towards learning online is firstly relieving the student’s anxiety around the use of technology. Due to the unfamiliar applications and platforms, we initially experienced hesitation from the students. We’ve been fortunate enough to incorporate the Learning Centre elements (Move, Brain Boost, Learn, Brain Breather, and Free Time/Replay) via online resources and interactive games. This has familiarised the students with their classroom routine and allowed their education to continue during these difficult times.
This week I was super impressed with the participation from my students in virtual ‘Move.’ I asked my students to turn on some loud music and dance around their placements and film it for me. One of my students challenged me to film myself doing a dance activity and send it in! So I got my best moves together for ‘Dance Monkey’ and filmed it in my lounge room and sent it to her. Stepping outside of your comfort zone and allowing the kids to see you in a more vulnerable state helps them feel at ease.
There is a lot of ‘together’ time at the moment, so my hot tip is to take some time for yourself each day, steal a bit of the day just for you! For me, that looks like waking early for a walk and a coffee before the school day starts.
It’s important to be flexible with yourself and your learner. I recommend having clear boundaries and keep expectations consistent. Ensure your learner is getting some fresh air and fun outdoor learning time is just as important as their academic schoolwork, this could be as simple as lunch outside or a game of handball. Stay well, embrace the slower pace and try and find enjoyment in the small things, they are all around.
There are lots of things that I miss while working from home. It is definitely difficult not seeing the students each day, especially watching the way they support one another and engage in their hands-on projects. One of the biggest things though is missing the team and the wider Allambi community. Not being able to just duck our heads into each other’s offices, run into someone in the hallway for a quick chat, or even go over to the café to grab a coffee and have a catch-up is definitely an adjustment. In saying that we all actively work on making sure we have regular contact and know what’s happening with one another.
“I’m extremely proud of this team, they are some of the most motivated and driven individuals. Regardless of what is thrown at them, they are always looking for ways to keep the kids engaged. Our kids are some of the most vulnerable students in our community and the fact that they are online, completing schoolwork, doing mindfulness/dance activities, and keeping the kids routine is pretty special.”