Last night on social media a mother was shamed for sending her child to childcare during this outbreak of COVID-19. (A not uncommon event on social media). The mother of the child who actually runs a childcare centre and whose partner is a frontline worker. We are both teachers, I am a casual teacher, if I want to get paid then I need to go into school, supervise and support student learning for those that have to be here. Some people don’t have alternative options. I still remain gobsmacked when people put in their two bob when they are not in that position or have not experienced the event.
In these unprecedented times everyone is discovering new and different ways to complete activities. Though some things will always stay the same. Interactions and teaching through ZOOM is now a recommended approach to teaching in the NSW Education Department, this is something that previously was not the done, the concept of using direct online connection was not supported. Students have consistent access to their teachers (though this needs to be limited to school hours only) according to when they need to communicate or seek assistance.
Google Hangouts (an app associated with Google) has been a popular way for students to interact with one another and their teacher. Much like Facebook Messenger, students or teachers can create groups (classes) to communicate with one another. It does have the additional use of video calls which helps with the collaborating through online applications.