Thread by @CatrionaGolden

Long one: Live lessons, Equity, Access & Remote Learning

The demands for live learning and claims that it is the best option, or the only real teaching, or the closest to "normal" are getting louder the longer this goes on. Frustrated parents looking for support.

#edchatie

#1

Absolutely understandable. Trying to navigate remote learning, apps, downloads, printables & support your child while working yourself at home, or outside is not just hard, for many it's impossible.

Each family sees this through their own lens, from their own perspective

#2

But, for every voice we hear saying "live lessons are the best" "live lessons are the only way" I worry about the voices we're not hearing.

Lots of things vary family to family, and for some live would be the best, but here are some overarching things we do know for sure

#3

- There's no evidence live lessons are more effective for learning outcomes overall, for any pupils.

- We know with certainty that primarily live lessons locks some pupils out of the learning. This may be due to disadvantage, device/Internet access, or time/people resources

#4

With those two things in combination, unless our school context allows that we can ensure all pupils have the ability to access the live lessons, we are actively increasing the gap mid pandemic, through our actions.

#5

Now, the gap will increase to some extent regardless, purely due to the huge range of home circumstances. However there's a difference between knowing a gap will increase and we will need to try to mitigate, and actively causing a larger gap.

#6

I've been asked "would it not be better for some kids to learn that none".

It's a false dichotomy. Because again, live lessons are not more effective and significantly more pupils can access with a mixed approach including pre recording, feedback, paper based.

#7

A lot of the frustration comes from the inconsistency, x school down the road is doing y.

It is frustrating, it's possibly unfair, but we are where we are, we have no centralised platform & each school has to come up with the best approach that works for their community.

#8

This should include communication, often, it should include taking the home contexts into consideration (for pupils and staff). It should include regular review and investigating engagement.

But it shouldn't be a response to the loudest, or just to the more privileged.

#9

This is not at all to castigate any schools who have gone the primarily live lesson route. They know their school contexts better than I do.

But the assumption that it's a better approach, even for learning alone, is simply mistaken.

There are many effective approaches

#10

I do not blame parents in any way for the frustration, the upset, the feeling that its inconsistent. It is, and it's not good enough.

But I do ask that, as hard as it is right now, we try to look at it with empathy. That not all circumstances are the same.

#11

Right now is just hard, for everyone, but something that may make it easier for you may make it even harder for another. The school must consider all of this.

Live sessions have their place, social sessions, targeted small group lessons

But they're not the be all & end all

#12

Last May, I wrote for the @EducateTogether blog

"We must not condemn a generation of less privileged children because their voices are quieter and harder to hear"

I strongly believe this, but unfortunately I think we've failed utterly in it so far.

docs.google.com/document/d/1CN…

#13

This was a ramble, and windy thread but please when we're discussing live lessons, when the clamber for them gets louder and louder, lets try to remember those who we aren't hearing. Their voices are just as important. In fact, our duty to them is even stronger.

#14