With the school doors currently shut due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Stepaside Educate Together has been using technology to communicate with students and keep lessons going. Every student has their own device and access to all the applications of the Office 365 suite. Apps such as OneNote and Teams have been used throughout the school year so students are familiar and comfortable in using them even when remotely learning. All week teachers have been uploading content onto Microsoft OneNote, voice recordings, videos and streaming are just some of the tools being used to help students.
Communication has been constant too, thanks to Microsoft Teams every student is part of a subject team and can easily ask any questions of their teachers and their peers. While we may be socially isolating we are still collaborating. Year groups still have their assemblies with their year head and tutors through scheduled meetings. Here the whole year group can come together and discuss what has been going well and can ask questions if they need any help. This is done through a digital meeting space where all students and teachers can video conference, this is particularly positive for anyone who is feeling isolated.
So as Stepaside Educate Together Secondary School finishes its first week of social isolation, the learning that takes place here has not been heavily impacted. Daily lessons are still taking place and communication between teacher and students is as open as ever. However, we are still looking forward to getting back into our classrooms!