Remote school may look different to ‘normal’ school, but children are still being taught; they are still learning and many are still actively engaged in the curriculum.
We surveyed and interviewed parents of primary school-aged children in Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria and the ACT to explore their experiences of helping their children with remote schooling.
One approach to figure out what to expect is to look at the experiences of different countries after they closed schools due to previous pandemics, war or industrial action.
The government should have a plan for how to help disadvantaged students catch up from learning lost during the pandemic, and how to better support students with mental health issues.
With Year 12s studying for their final year exam, the score of which will be converted into a ranking as related to their peers across the country, many Victorians are worried they may be set back.
A seven week survey asked questions on the experiences of students with disabilities and their families when schools across Australia had mostly closed, and children learnt remotely.
A sustainable return to remote learning must ensure schools and the government address social, emotional and equity issues of students, and increasing workloads for teachers.
A Grattan Institute report shows the achievement gap between disadvantaged and advantaged students widens at triple the rate in remote schooling compared to regular class.
The federal government is trying to entice independent schools to open by offering them advance payments. But do they have powers beyond enticement with which they could control state schools?
Even before COVID-19, use of the ATAR for university entry was contentious. Now it’s even more so, and universities need to rely on other ways to admit students.
More evidence has come in and confirmed what the government has been saying for some time. Children do get infected much less than adults with COVID-19 and when they do, they hardly spread it.
Just as office workers need to be aware of cyber risks when setting up a home office, parents need to think about the increased exposure their children will face to cyber threats at home.
Students in year 12, as well as those who need foundational skills right before starting school, are among those the NSW government should prioritise during the staggered return to school.
There’s more to learning than content. As long as kids maintain the essential literacy, numeracy and social skills, they will be well placed to pick up content they may have missed later.
Schools are online and many students may find this new learning environment challenging. But organising your time and taking effective notes can help students learn better.
People show decreased cognitive processing in high concern situations. Effective communication needs to respectfully address concerns, and build trust, otherwise information may be rejected.
Paediatrician at the Royal Childrens Hospital and Associate Professor and Clinician Scientist, University of Melbourne and MCRI, Murdoch Children's Research Institute
Director, Center for Community Child Health Royal Children's Hospital; Professor, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne; Theme Director Population Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute