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Teacher tips for remote learning

The move to remote issues throws up a huge range of safeguarding issues, both in terms of protecting children AND teachers.

Fortunately, there are a plethora of resources out there to help you navigate rough this minefield. David Winfield from RocketLearn has given us a quick checklist of his top five tips for remote learning – we hope they are useful.

1. Supporting teachers
When you as teachers are providing online learning from home it is easy to put yourself at risk inadvertently. It is useful to remember some key points:

2. Using YouTube for Online lessons
YouTube can be a great way to provide access to videos. Two “musts” to protect your children are:

3. Understand the chat function
Whilst the chat can seem like a useful function if children have questions and do not want to turn their microphone on and speak it can cause a number of safeguarding risks, not to mention act as a distraction to the lesson you are trying to teach. All platforms enable you to turn the chat off, a quick google search will give you instructions on how to do it whether you are on Zoom, Teams or Google Meets.

4. Have a plan for one-to-one phone calls or meetings
In school one-to-one conversations with pupils would take place with doors open and in sight of others. Online this is more difficult. Teachers should ensure one-to-one communications take place on school equipment, ideally on a phone belonging to a parent with a parent present, and if consent is given, the call can be recorded. It is also useful to ensure another member of staff is aware the call is taking place. Keeping a log of one-to-one phone calls and sessions can also be useful for referring back to.

5. Protect staff and child wellbeing
Last week was Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week and it could not have come at a better time. Children, parents and teachers are all finding online learning difficult for a myriad of reasons. Whatever you can do as a school to help will be appreciated.

Thanks to David for these helpful tips. In light of the safeguarding issues surrounding live lessons RocketLearn is offering pre-recorded lessons for schools accessible via YouTube rather than live teaching. RocketLearn is currently offering free lessons and online work for primary schools across the UK. To receive a copy of these via email please click here.

Brand new, PSHE and health and wellbeing materials from Chameleon PDE

Our friends at Chameleon PDE have come up with a solution. They have been busy developing new PSHE / Health and wellbeing materials for secondary schools which include a range of activities that can be delivered in 10, 20, or 30-minute sections, ideal for tutor delivery or for restricted lesson times. If lessons are longer, activities can be combined, fitting with any lesson length.

One of the many benefits of using Chameleon resources are their PSHE / WELLBEING HOME LEARNING materials.

Pupils who are at home due to Covid restrictions also don’t have to miss out on their PSHE / health and wellbeing lessons. Chameleon PDE’s Home Learning resources have been written carefully so that content is appropriate, leaving more the sensitive areas to be taught and discussed in school by teachers during contact time.

This can ensure students are receiving a full and potentially an enhanced programme, even though time in school may be restricted.

Chameleon have also produced a teaching pack with over 60 hours of teaching material specifically focussed on Covid-19 that can be used for personal development lessons in school.

You can sign up for a free account, download samples and find out more here

We very much hope that you will take a look at Chameleon PDE and find their offering both helpful and affordable in these challenging times.

Tootoot invites you to join Pupil Voice Week and celebrate why “it’s good to talk”

Running from the 21st – 25th September, this year’s Pupil Voice Week has more partners and free resources than ever before to help schools celebrate.

This year’s theme is ‘it’s good to talk’. We’ll be promoting the wellbeing of people of all ages in education. We believe that through opening up and talking more about our own mental health, we can create a healthier school community.

We want every child to know that it’s good to talk about emotions, mental health and wellbeing. The week is all about empowering young people to speak-up and use their voice. With the help of our partners we have specially designed resources that explore topics such as emotional wellbeing, mental health, how they can use their voices for good and anti-bullying.

Your Free Resource Pack
Receive your free support and resources by signing up at pupilvoiceweek.co.uk/register/school, and join the celebration on social media from the 21st – 25thSeptember using #PupilVoiceWeek and tag @tootootofficial.