An effective remote learning landscape

The degree of success on remote learning provision depends on many factors. Al Kingsley explains what to consider when providing home learning to ensure that students thrive and teachers feel confident.

In the post-pandemic period, for many schools remote learning is a distant (and perhaps unpleasant) memory. However, remote learning, much like remote working, can be extremely successful – and indeed, for some learners, in some circumstances, it is the only option.

Remote learning can give schools the flexibility to continue learning when physical access to the school is impacted by weather disruptions or issues with school buildings – as evidenced by the recent RAAC crisis. Equally, some learners will be best supported by remote learning arrangements; for instance, accommodating the schedules of student athletes, or the needs of students with complex or chronic health conditions that impact their ability to attend school in person.

The degree of success, of course, depends on how schools approach setting up their remote learning infrastructure. Whilst this can be daunting, the devil is in the detail; taking the time to build contingency plans, allocate resources efficiently and create the right conditions for happy teachers and learners will go a long way to ensure that remote learning provides students with the chance to thrive.

Creating a roadmap for the school’s digital resources

A first step in any journey involving technological resources in a school ought to be the creation of a digital strategy. A digital strategy can ensure a school is creating the right settings for remote learning by informing leaders’ approach to the allocation of digital resources. This process begins with a comprehensive audit of what resources are at the school’s disposal, both hardware and software. Having a detailed overview of what is being used will enable leaders to make informed decisions about whether new resources are required.

Whilst this can appear to be an arduous task, there are a number of EdTech solutions that can take on the lion’s share of the work by automating this overview and providing an at-a-glance report of usage levels. This can provide insights as to whether additional resources might be needed and if devices are being used to their fullest capabilities.

Perhaps just as important is determining what is not working for the school, particularly in terms of resources that are going unused. For instance, if it is determined that a particular software licence is no longer required than leaders can evaluate whether their needs might be more affordably met  by another solution.

Remote learning means that digital devices are a vital lifeline. Keeping these devices topped up with the latest updates can prolong their lifespan and protect them against potential cyber-safety concerns.

These regular updates may feel never-ending, but many operating systems will allow updates to be automatically scheduled; this can be done out of peak usage times to minimise disruptions. Equally, numerous EdTech solutions will be able to provide overview reports, pointing to any devices that are at risk of falling behind in their update schedule.

Getting tech infrastructure right

Implementing the right IT framework is key. The first consideration is how students and educators can seamlessly connect, communicate and share resources; cloud-based infrastructure will make this easier. Equally, due consideration must be given to network traffic. Bearing in mind the number of users and the type of usage will give school leaders an idea of the scale of strain likely to be placed on network traffic.

Planning accordingly will reduce the likelihood of interruptions caused by network traffic. It may be worth considering the potential benefits of remote access for IT technicians. Inevitably, issues will arise with devices and in a face-to-face setting, these are usually resolved on-site with minimal disruption to learning.

However, in the context of remote learning, allowing the school’s IT team to access devices, determine a quick diagnosis and fix the issues in question more efficiently. Supporting teachers Equipping teachers with the skills and confidence to effectively use technology is particularly important in the context of remote learning. Engaging with teachers  throughout any digital journey is important; building in regular opportunities for them to provide feedback on their needs, what they find is working and critically, what is not quite working will improve leaders’ capacity to support their colleagues.

The ever-evolving technological landscape means that teachers are at risk of falling behind when it comes to digital skills development.

Continuous professional development (CPD) must remain a priority; to reflect the constant evolution of technology, this can be approached in new ways, for example engaging with professional networks to share best practice.

Protecting remote learners from harm

The duty of care educators have towards their pupils is, rightly, a top priority in any educational setting. Remote learning should be no different. The risks from physical hazards – such as trips and falls in the playground – are all but eliminated in a remote learning scenario. However, greater use of digital devices brings other health and safety concerns. Increased screen time is known to have potential health risks, including eye strain, poor posture and conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Simple steps can be taken to mitigate or even eliminate these risks, such as teaching staff and students the 20-20-20 rule to help them protect their vision. Worryingly, it is also possible that increased time spent using devices could place young people at a higher risk of coming into harm online. Internet providers can guard against such risks by blocking access to certain websites which may contain dangerous or inappropriate content.

Some EdTech tools will allow educators to go further by giving schools modular control over search terms that are monitored. This helps identify at-risk pupils if any concerning searches are made, which can then be used to create individual reports for the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead to monitor and escalate as needed.

Maximising learning for remote students

One key concern for remote learning is keeping students on task and maintaining the quality of education. Schools must remain up to date with the latest guidance from the Department for Education on the requirements for schools when it comes to any remote provision.

Tracking students’ progress and identifying gaps in learning is important, and when it comes to remote learning, some EdTech platforms will make this record-keeping easier.

Digital learning resources and EdTech solutions will help teachers create personalised learning pathways to suit their students’ learning styles; this is particularly helpful for students with special educational needs or disabilities.

A personalised approach can empower students and increase their level of engagement with their learning.

The people behind the screen

In any remote learning set-up, building in opportunities for social interaction must be a consideration.

This can mean fully taking advantage of communication tools and features across the platforms in use; indeed, some EdTech platforms will make this communication far easier and more natural with increased options for teachers and learners to communicate.

The importance and value of the human-to-human dynamic in the learning journey must not be forgotten. Equipping our pupils with the knowledge and qualifications they need to succeed and be competitive as they enter the world of world is of course paramount in our minds as educators; but perhaps most important of all is ensuring our students are happy, well-rounded learners equipped with those increasingly in-demand skills they need.

Not only is it vital to help students focus on their schoolwork, educators should also foster their ability to build strong relationships with their peers, teachers and the network of adults who support them throughout their academic journey. 

Al Kingsley is the group CEO of NetSupport, chair of a Multi-Academy Trust and chair of an Alternative Provision Academy.