9 Positives From School Closures; Part 2

Part 2; THREE Positives For Teachers

There has been much negative debate regarding the education of children recently, but it has to be noted that despite the anxiety surrounding Covid-19 for many youngsters, their parents and teachers, the lockdown situation has also resulted in positives for learning. It is important, moving towards ‘normality’ that we acknowledge these, learn from them and try where possible to carry them forward to benefit education for the future. This is part two and will cover three such positives for teachers, although you will be able to think of many more I am sure.

Lockdown came as a sudden shock to the teaching profession and it brought with it much anxiety, planning and frantic organisation. It was hard to believe at first that any positives could come out of this crisis. However, despite widespread angst, this situation has definitely brought some positives to note:

1. Digital Literacy

Literacy has always meant something quite different in education but now, with the onset of online learning, teachers and tutors have had to embrace this world. Many have taken to it like ducks to water but many of us have embarked on it with some trepidation! We have all however, become more used to it and have found our own preferences. Teachers have also had the opportunity to take a step back and look at teaching methods with a critical eye, taking time to analyse current practices and develop new methods incorporating imaginative and creative online resources.

2. Strengthening Teacher-Pupil Relationships

There is so much choice when it comes to online teaching resources and rather than lacking the personal touch, at times it has felt like there has been more opportunity to get to know individual students. Online platforms have facilitated direct teacher-to-pupil or teacher-to-parent communication without the normal school distractions or necessary focus on behaviour within the classroom. I know that for some of my tutees, they will return to school with improved understanding of their strengths and challenges from their teachers; this is especially true of youngsters who are quiet and have low confidence.

3. Family Time

Many teachers have families of their own and lockdown has meant more time to be with them. This will of course have had its challenges as they continued to teach their pupils too. The reduction of travel time however between work and home has allowed them to claw back some family time and their presence in the home as a constant has been invaluable to their loved ones. Memories will have been made and will forever be remembered.

Moving towards the reopening of all schools and the resumption of 'traditional teaching', let's aim to incorporate some of the positives we've learnt during the school closures into new methods for the benefit of future education. Please comment below if you have other positives to add, and read more positives in Part 1 and Part 3.