When the government announced that schools and colleges were to close because of COVID-19, many schools found themselves struggling to swiftly move their teaching online. But this was an area where computing teachers, with their wide knowledge of how to use tech in the classroom, came into their own.
Remote teaching is second nature
Nicola Mounsey, the lead Computer Science teacher at Calday Grange Grammar in West Kirby, said this way of working was something they were already familiar with: ‘For our students and the computer science department, online teaching is really not too far from our normal way of working.’
‘We use Google Docs and Google Classroom normally - so we were well set up for the switch. We've also utilised online programming environments lower down in the school more than we would normally do but the students are able to email us for support. So far, it’s working well.’
And she was able to help other teachers to get online: ‘For many of our staff this meant developing a lot of new skills; screen-sharing, using Google Hangouts. I have suddenly become the go-to expert and the school has asked me to run training sessions for staff.’
For teaching staff who aren’t computing specialists, becoming more tech-savvy will be a ‘silver lining’ to the current crisis. ‘This last week I’ve had lots of teachers saying, “I didn’t know we could do that - it’s amazing,”’ said Nicola.
CAS, the network of computing teachers, leads the way
Nicola, like many other computing teachers, is a long term member of Computing at School, a BCS supported network of teachers. For over a decade, CAS members - who are all volunteers - have been holding regular after-school meetings, supporting each other with how best to teach computing to their pupils.
This peer-to-peer approach has proved invaluable in their new roles as advisors to non-specialist colleagues. This month’s CAS newsletter is full to the brim of computing teachers and school leaders sharing their expertise - and not only about remote learning.
School labs to the rescue
Schools across the UK have been swinging into action in response to the coronavirus crisis, using their expertise and equipment to save lives.
The Director of STEM at the Challenge Academy Trust in Warrington, Chris Hillidge, is coordinating a project that has seen schools across the region developing oxygen masks for the NHS, adapted from snorkels, alongside face-visors for personal protection equipment all made using the school’s 3D printers and laser cutters.
‘We’ve worked with lots of companies before. We’ve produced medical devices in the past, mainly as prototypes for people setting up businesses and worked with inventors and others. We have got a good track record in thinking of innovative ways of using our technology,’ said Chris.
