The first 100,000 words: Writings on Education by a Teacher

Schools must now 'build back better' to free teachers and students from old regimes By   Steven Kolber Community contribution / May 14, 2020 For this Victorian teacher, returning to school at this time feels appropriate, considering all other jurisdictions have already returned to face-to-face teaching. A ‘build back better’ move would be to allow a portion of students’ load to be delivered remotely, giving teachers and students some space for variety in their schedule, and freedom from the byzantine and industrial timetable of schools. The luxury of having a staged return to school is thoughtful and appropriate. Having a pupil-free day to collect thoughts and approaches is also a good decision. This will allow for some respite to prepare, plan and reflect, as called for previously. The fingerprint of AEU Victoria in pushing for these measures is clear and deeply appreciated. Health and safety concerns on site Realistically, schools will only look sl...

Don’t rush teachers back to the ‘old normal’ – they’ve propped up the flawed system for years It is not news to my teaching colleagues, those who prop up a flawed system with their overwork, that some students will be disadvantaged at this time. Any perceived impact on student learning will remain minimal: as teachers we redress what is already widely discussed in the research literature as the ‘summer dip’ yearly. Our PM said, “We know for some families and students … distance learning won't be possible and their education, what they learn, is at great risk of suffering this year”. This is true of a great many students, learning remotely or not, this fact will persist, unless desperate action is taken. Our education system is above the OECD average in a number of depressing ways, notably the gap between those most advantaged and those who are disadvantaged. Our schools serve as cushions for these effects, but it is beyond the scope of education to solve these issues....