Student's 21 and 22 couldn't connect to hangouts but completed most of the tasks on the class site. They especially enjoyed the hands-on inquiry tasks that I had made videos for. They shared their video's with me via google drive. I was amazed at how much work they had done on their return to school as their mum had found it hard to motivate them to do work at the start of lockdown. The hands-on videos were a motivator.
Student's 7 and 16 had not connected at all during level 1. However, during level 2 they returned to school to work from school. This shows the need for some students to be at school.
Student 2 independently connected to each hangout but didn't complete the set work without the support from his parents. He has continued to be motivated and is participating and contributing but has fallen back a bit in his reading.
Students 6 and 13 connected to each hangout and were self-motivated in their learning completing most online learning tasks. Both had support from parents. These are the two highest academically achieving students in the class.
Student 3 worked with mum each day. Mum realised the difficulties he has retaining information and concentration. She now wants to continue supporting him with his learning at home and at school and has seen a huge shift in his eagerness to learn and confidence to talk about his ideas.
Student 5 worked with her mum and sister a year younger each day, They worked through the phonics, reading, writing and maths activities on the site. They left the hands-on activities as they didn't have the materials to do them.
Student 19 connected later into lockdown with help from the teacher. Dad helped with the hands-on inquiry activities and they connected each day to share their learning via hangouts. He also had help from other family members. Dad relied on my verbal instructions, videos and audio to follow the instructions for learning activities as he is unable to read written instructions.
Students 10, 11 and 14 were uncontactable during the lockdown. These families didn't answer phone calls. One of these families has not since returned to school. One family has discussed that they were unable to get their child to do any school work.
What you will notice is how every family was different in the way they connected and engaged in the learning. Each family had very individual circumstances and experiences during lockdown which influenced how and in which ways they connected with the learning activities provided. As a junior teacher, it was a huge job ringing each family on a regular base to help them connect. At times you felt like a stalker especially with those at-risk families that had seemed to have disappeared off our radar. However, those conversations and the talking through technical issues helping families to connect to google meet is what built the relationships that I now have with many of my families. I am so incredibly proud of my parents that lead their children's learning at home. Especially as many of them were facing their own challenges during lock-down. The difference they have made in their children's learning is so obvious now we are back in the classroom. These students are confident, happy and ploughing ahead with their learning.
Some families did not connect at all and for whatever reasons and have not completed any set learning tasks via google sites. Each child had an iPad and internet access. It is not my place to judge as I know the challenges many of our families have on a daily basis. This experience has left me continuing to wonder about ways in which I can better connect with these parents and help them if this situation was to arise again.
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