Teaching remotely: what’s working for you?

By Education Gazette editors

Issue: Volume 99, Number 6

Posted: 15 April 2020

Reference #: 1HA74M

As schools across New Zealand prepare to embrace distance teaching and learning at the start of Term 2, Education Gazette asks teachers for their tips on how to deliver learning programmes to children at home.

Gail Abbitt, Digital Technology Specialist Curriculum Leader, Rototuna High School

“I think the important thing is to not overload students with too many platforms. The temptation can be to try out lots of different things because there is such a plethora of apps, websites, etc, out there.

“I am using our school LMS Schoology for most things and I’m finding that it is working really well. I teach digital technology at a junior high school; I’m sticking with the platforms we use in class (Scratch, Repl.it, Metaverse, CoSpaces etc). I’m using Camtasia for screencasting tutorials (Screencastify is also good and free), or for answering questions on the discussion forums that need a demonstration.

“I’ve done a couple of Google Hangouts with my Learning Advisory (tutor group) to check-in and have set them a daily challenge/activity in the mornings, which they seem to be enjoying – getting inspiration from the Bear Grylls Indoor Challenge site.”

Abi Knauf, New Plymouth Adventist Christian School

“Our online learning for Years 0–3 is via Seesaw and a Google doc provided to parents. Our online learning for Years 4–8 is via three platforms: Google Site/Google Classroom and Seesaw.

“From maths and reading there are literacy contracts with hyperlinks to assist learning. This has ‘Must Do’s’ and ‘Can Do’s’. This is already what we do in class, so the transition to remote learning has been smooth. All the required activities have been posted to Google Classroom.”

Nadine Fiebiger, Assistant Principal, Mission Heights Primary School 

Here are a few videos that Nadine created for her students to help with teaching and learning fractions:

Natalie Wright, Deputy Principal (Senior School), Takanini School

“Teacher Tools has excellent videos that explain the different Numeracy Project strategies. There are also follow-up activities you can purchase called the White Books. This would support families helping their children at home as they could watch and re-watch videos. This would support households who may not have the numeracy levels to support their children.”