Teaching and Learning
Virtual Barker! The Term 3 lockdown saw the Secondary School move to a model for online learning that was centred on two principles: keeping it simple and as ‘normal’ as possible. However, Barker is not just about teaching and learning but also includes the wider co-curricular program; a multitude of students working in the performance space as well as through an extensive club program. We aimed to replicate as much as we could to the online world. Here’s a snapshot of how we made virtual what was once done face-to-face.
Replicating Teaching and Learning Online The core principles behind Barker’s online learning program are simple – we value the structure that the existing school timetable brings, and the ability of teachers to maintain connections with students and continue explicit teaching via Microsoft Teams (for up to 30 minutes per lesson, recognising the need to limit screen time). Within these core principles, teachers are utilising many tools to enhance the online learning experience. Microsoft OneNote helps teachers to create and distribute notes, and students to annotate them – much like the whiteboard and student notebook in a physical classroom. Breakout rooms in Teams allow the formation of smaller groups of students, facilitating better discussion and promoting group work, while the teacher can easily move between groups – much like how the learning environment in a classroom would be organised. While we all long for the return of face-to-face interactions, continuing to facilitate the important link between the student and their teacher remains the focus of online learning. Kester Lee (Director of Studies)
14 • The Barker • Issue 132 • Spring 2021
Replicating Clubs Online As students and staff settled into a rhythm of online learning, several staff turned their attention to the co-curricular clubs that they would normally offer at School. Some clubs attract many students, others only a few. Regardless of the number of attendees, the clubs are an important part of the weekly routines of many hundreds of students. A notable example of this is the bee keeping club run by Dr Gates. The aspiring beekeepers were the first group to connect online and with great success. Dr Gates reported a desire to connect and collaborate, with students keen to share their stories of what they had learnt about beekeeping from various social media sites and other online outlets. This really emphasises the importance of maintaining connections beyond online lessons. The beekeepers have the chance to enrol in a free online course that will prepare them to work with the hives when they return to School. Students will also be able to use their beekeeping expertise to contribute to their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. It’s safe to say that there is a ‘hive of activity’ online! Greg Longney (Director of Teaching and Learning) Alison Gates (Agriculture Teacher)
