Page 14 - ELG2005 Jul Issue 471

INTERVIEW . FEATURES & COMMENT

UK Pathway Centres learn quickly integrated assessment and check they Lessons learned from lockdown learners
understood all task requirements. Recording
presentations and being able to submit
INTO Manchester has had to adapt, Sandra Fraser tells the Gazette securely was key, so we decided on
Bongolearn. However, students had had no Flipped lessons and blended learning benefits those at home and in schools
opportunity to experience it from a student’s experience of presenting online, so tutorial says international school teacher James McAleese of Gems Winchester
perspective and use that to inform our delivery. support for this was given.

What’s worked well for you in terms of How will online lessons feature in hat lessons can we take from
engaging students? future teaching at INTO Manchester? the experience of distance
Training for students is critical. Online Both students and staff prefer being face-to- learning during lockdown, and
learning was just as new and unexpected for face, but given the present situation, where Whow can we continue to utilise ELENABSL/SHUTTERSTOCK
them as it was for staff. We held induction this is not possible, we will use the experience EdTech and new teaching practices once
tutorials where the new expectations of gained over the past few months to develop schools reopen?
How has INTO Manchester adapted to online learning were outlined and the features our online delivery for the next academic year. International schools across the UAE are
online teaching and learning? of the virtual classroom were introduced. A hybrid of face-to-face and online delivery now looking ahead to the new school year
We had to adapt quickly! The centre closed Tutorials continued throughout the term. is planned, with both synchronous and and starting to prepare for their phased
down for a week before Easter and we used Making sure that students get the same asynchronous sessions offered. Online reopening. There is still a level of uncertainty
this time to prepare for the sudden, opportunities to work together online as they delivery offers a range of opportunities too, around what the classroom experience will
unplanned transition to online delivery. do in the physical classroom is important and more blended and flipped learning and greater look like in the new academic year.
We had to make a paradigm shift in our the break-out rooms on Bongolearn facilitate autonomy for students, which will prepare We all agree that the health and wellbeing
practice, with very experienced teachers this. Student feedback on this is very them further for future academic study. of students remains the priority, whilst Combining independent work with teacher-led sessions can create a more engaging
having to re-learn, re-think and re-evaluate positive, as is the use of Microsoft Teams for ensuring that they continue to receive a and dynamic student experience
their delivery. We all became online learners face-to-face sessions. Sandra Fraser is high-quality education at home just as they
ourselves and faced a very steep learning Higher Education and would do in school. you need to find material that fits the is valuable, as it allows teachers to identify
curve, taking part in online webinars, and How are you managing formal Projects Manager at The ‘new normal’ will likely involve a curriculum and offers individualisation. any knowledge gaps in real-time and ensure
training courses and bespoke training on assessment in an online environment? INTO Manchester, an blended learning approach to support Prior to the school closures, we were this is addressed in the next lesson.
Bongolearn, the virtual classroom that INTO We reassured students that the skills being accredited Study Centre students who may still be based at home. already encouraging teachers to use more Once schools reopen, digital resources
had selected for use. assessed were those that they had been of NCUK, who have a This is especially important for the 15-16 education technology. For our students we can continue to offer a customised but
Programme teams then worked together to developing during their studies. When the global network of more year-olds in Years 10 and 11, who are at a used GCSEPod, which has a bank of three- independent learning experience for
engage in peer teaching practice to consolidate format of the online exam was explained, than 75 Study Centres critical stage in their education, working to-five minute ‘Pod’ videos written students preparing for exams at a time
the initial training. This allowed teachers to students were able to identify how it related in over 30 countries. Sandra has worked on towards the IGCSE qualifications they take specifically for 27 IGCSE and GCSE subjects, when they need it most.
gain experience and confidence in setting up to their coursework. NCUK qualifications since 2005 and at at the end of Year 11. Looking at what has plus a range of tools that enable teachers to Blended learning is more attuned to the
lessons, using the different tools, and Teachers also prepared materials following INTO Manchester since its inception in 2008. worked with them is a good example of what create video playlists to share, and to set way today’s young students consume and
troubleshooting any issues. It also gave us the the new format so students could practise the can be done. work for students. engage with content. Audio-visual revision
Providing ongoing support and reassurance has entertainment appeal, but also flexibility,
for students in the 14-to-16 age group who enabling students to pause, watch and re-
Clearly, if you are
NCUK - The University Consortium are learning from home has been the priority moving direct instruction watch as needed to reinforce their topic
for us at GEMS Winchester School, while
understanding.
Combining this independent work with
also equipping them to transition into the
Ensuring Continuity In Join our Global next stage of their education as the academic to the ‘individual teacher-led sessions then creates a more
engaging and dynamic student experience.
year draws to a close.
Times Of Uncertainty Study Centres in With this in mind, we sought to create a learning space’ you need Furthermore, blended learning enables pupils
Network of 75
blended learning strategy which would to find material that fits to take ownership of their study and develop
over 30 countries
Pre-university, undergraduate and integrate digital resources and conventional the curriculum and offers key independent thinking skills, which are
beneficial for their education careers and
teaching methods for an engaging and
postgraduate pathway solu琀ons for interactive student experience. The beyond.
the international education sector outcomes have certainly illustrated the individualisation. While digital learning is not a replacement
benefits to be had! for traditional classroom teaching, it is an
From improving their ability to learn and Teachers can set assignments and other invaluable tool which can enhance the
We provide: New for Summer 2020: English language self-review independently, to allowing for learning activities available within GCSEPod learning experience for students when
testing and preparation courses for more personalised instruction which reflects with students on Microsoft Teams. Pupils integrated properly within the curriculum.
university entry the needs of individual learners, our results enjoy chatting and sharing their ideas just as As schools look ahead and prepare
In-country pathway, university degree are impressive. As schools across the globe they would have done in the normal students for the new academic year, there is
and university credit-bearing options Routes to thousands of UG and PG prepare to reopen, evolving our teaching classroom, and they felt more motivated much to be learnt from the experience of
degrees courses at leading universities practices to include more flexibility and understanding exactly how the videos fit into recent months. Blended learning can make
mixed-media content might be the most the curriculum content. for a more efficient and personalised learning
Blended learning is an opportunity to
Quality-assured qualifications and Student recruitment and valuable takeaway from this experience. enrich the personalised learning experience. experience, which is valuable for all pupils,
As we made the transition to home
but especially those involved in exam
innovative assessment solutions conversion support learning, we knew it would be important to Each pupil is different and will learn best in preparations.
deliver engaging and interactive lessons different ways and at different speeds. Interactive, curriculum-based online
despite not being face-to-face with our For example, like other international learning which reflects the way students want
students. One particularly successful tactic schools in the UAE, we have a high to learn can help teenagers stay motivated
Discuss your Options with Us, www.ncuk.ac.uk was to use flipped learning, which has been proportion of learners with English as an with their learning, both at home and in the
Become a Partner, Join the Network. together@ncuk.ac.uk defined as “a pedagogical approach in which additional language (EAL). Students classroom.
direct instruction moves from the group therefore enjoy using audio-visual resources
learning space to the individual learning with subtitles, which allow them to slow James McAleese is head of secondary, and
space.” down or re-watch sections as needed. business and ICT teacher at GEMS
NCUK • Q U ALITY • INNO V A TION • INTEGRITY • COLLABORA TION Clearly, if you are moving direct Using an online learning tool which Winchester school in Fujairah, UAE
instruction to the ‘individual learning space’ provides instant feedback on students’ work

14 July 2020 editorial@elgazette.com 15