Thread by @EilisNiChorcora

I’ve compiled 6 tips for the move online based on @AccessTCD & @SchoolofEdTCD research. During #schoolclosures last year we surveyed 1000+ students and 700+ teachers about their experience of #onlinelearning. Although it's difficult to be back here, we have learned so much. (1/N)

1. Prioritise student & staff wellbeing. Connection before content. Everyone is dealing with different circumstances at home often unbeknownst to others. Check-in with students and colleagues. (2/N)

2. A whole-school approach is needed when moving teaching and learning online. Our research suggests that schools who used a whole school approach had higher engagement from students and higher collaboration among teachers. (3/N)

3. Research suggests providing live or recorded lessons for students is important for high student engagement. Connect with each other, students don’t want double the amount of homework, they want to learn from their enthusiastic teachers and see the face behind the screen. (4/N)

4. Teacher feedback means the world to students. It helps them to improve, motivates them to keep up engagement and strengthens student/ teacher relationships. Assign a meaningful amount of work to students that you have the time to respond to. (5/N)

5. Students crave social interaction. Peer feedback, group projects and collaboration that we do every day in the classroom can still be adapted for online learning. Be creative and take risks when planning lessons. It may be a flop but students will love you for trying.(6/N)

6. Create a routine for staff and students. Our brains love routine. Try to follow normal school hours when sending out work. Of course teachers spend time preparing lessons and resources after hours but maybe they could be scheduled to only send during school hours.... (7/N)

That way students & teachers get to enjoy a well deserved break in the evening without any email notifications. These are my tips based on research with secondary school students. However, many would still apply to primary school settings. More info here: tcd.ie/trinityaccess/…

In 2020, over 1000 students participated in the Trinity Access Longitudinal Research Project most of which are in DEIS schools. Many students in these schools do not have access to technology or may be trying to engage with school online through their mobile phone. (9/N)

@AccessTCD #Tech2Students campaign is trying to bridge the digital divide by collecting old laptops, fixing them up and sending them to a student who need them to access education. If you have an old laptop lying around please consider donating it. (10/N)

Finally, GRMMA to all school leaders, teachers, staff and students. You are doing an amazing job. This time we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Vaccines are on the way. We can do this. (11/11)

@AibhnBray @JenMaguireD @bankoninclusion @anndeibh