Compassionate Approach to Post-Lockdown Geography Teaching
Explore the compassionate approach to post-lockdown geography teaching and learning with Rob Chambers at the Geographical Association Conference 2021. Discover opportunities for teachers in rethinking pedagogy, engagement strategies, rapid CPD in online technologies, and virtual assessment methods using Teams. Sponsored by OCR.
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Geographical Association Conference 2021 Saturday 10th April Session 1 Taking a compassionate approach to post-lockdown geography teaching and learning. Rob Chambers (FRGS CGeog) @RobGeog rob.chambers@astreastivo.org Head of Geography, St Ivo Academy National Geography Lead Astrea Academy Trust Source: https://unsplash.com/@finleydesign Sponsored by OCR
My Context School Context Approx. 1,750 students 11-18 comprehensive Geography Department Context 5 full time specialist staff 1 part time. 30 groups at KS3 (10 form entry) (794 students 7-9) 12 groups at GCSE (6 in Year 10 and 6 in Year 11 311 in total) 5 groups at A level (3 in Yr12 and 2 in Yr13) 67 students Rob Chambers (FRGS CGeog) - @RobGeog Head of Geography St Ivo Academy GCSE specification followed: AQA A Level specification followed :OCR Experience: Lockdown 1 Remote learning (not live) mainly pre- recorded lessons. Last 3 weeks Year 12 only on Teams. Taught Geography since 2000 Form Tutor / Lead Practitioner / Head of Geography and most recently become National Lead for Geography for Astrea Academy Trust. Lockdown 2 Fully live Geography timetable on TEAMS throughout (all Key Stages /Groups). Rob Chambers @RobGeog Sponsored by OCR
Taking a compassionate approach to post-lockdown geography teaching and learning. Rationale: Compassionate means having compassion a feeling of sympathy or pity for others, especially one that makes you want to help them. Being compassionate typically means you care and you want to help. (Google) Rob Chambers @RobGeog Sponsored by OCR
OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS Forced to rethink pedagogy and engagement strategies Rapid CPD for use of online technologies for all staff Discovery of new ways of working Virtual looking over shoulder through Teams opportunity to see more students individual work. Online marking and AFL Online marking and AFL Rob Chambers @RobGeog Sponsored by OCR
OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS TEAMS Use of Assignments and online marking Rob Chambers @RobGeog Sponsored by OCR
OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS TEAMS Whole-class feedback Rob Chambers @RobGeog Sponsored by OCR
OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS Monitoring progress / learning through frequent low-stakes assessments: Rob Chambers @RobGeog Sponsored by OCR
Opportunities for Teachers.. Expanding the pedagogic tool box Development of resilience and creativity Collaboration Rob Chambers @RobGeog Sponsored by OCR
Taking these opportunities forward.. How can we maintain the new technological expertise that staff have developed? What have been the particular benefits of online learning platforms and how can be used going forward? What have the benefits of online events e.g. parents evening been? Should aspects continue? How can we make use of the resources and time and effort invested in the creation of these during lockdown? How can leaders harness, celebrate and direct creativity and resilience that has been developed? Rob Chambers @RobGeog Sponsored by OCR
Opportunities for our students.. Some increase in independence Upskilling in the use of technology Some gain in confidence by quieter students. Taking these opportunities forward.. How do we build on these independent skills and develop them in others? How can we utilise these technologies going forward enabling students to maximise their potential using skills they have developed? How can we maintain new found confidence in students? Rob Chambers @RobGeog Sponsored by OCR
Opportunities for ITT, NQT and RQT Valuable experience gained in the use of online learning platforms Use of a range of online tools Building resilience Time for CPD / Subject knowledge development Taking these opportunities forward.. How can departments employing NQTs who have gained additional experience through CPD opportunities or using online tools draw on these to upskill the department. Rob Chambers @RobGeog Sponsored by OCR
CHALLENGES AHEAD Rob Chambers @RobGeog Sponsored by OCR
Challenges for Teachers TAGS Fieldwork Dealing with the unknown Exhaustion and Well-being Blended Learning Approaches The Learning Gap Re-establishing Routines Responding to these Challenges TAGS we are not alone! Collaboration is key moving forward Need for greater certainty from Ofqual Responsibility of all in school to look out for each other Learning Gap collaboration again key The role of leadership Rob Chambers @RobGeog Sponsored by OCR
Challenges for our students? A few of the challenges faced include: Loss of Routine Big leaning gaps / further widening of the attainment gap Concerns over PP students The enormity of the task ahead Personal challenges faced Communicating concerns Responding to these challenges.. A need to think holistically to prevent overwhelming students Focused overview on Pupil Premium students Importance of the pastoral system and internal communication Creation of a compassionate learning environment Working as a subject community Rob Chambers @RobGeog Sponsored by OCR
CHALLENGES FOR ITTs / NQTs / RQTs Understanding future colleagues is a conversation for everyone Niall Cole Teachers Talk Radio. Rob Chambers @RobGeog Sponsored by OCR
Transitioning to normal because we dont know what that is (@mrs_patel_geog) The following are some challenges / concerns reported by ITT trainees as a result of the lockdown. Little experience of KS2/KS5 Lack of range of experience Lack of opportunity to observe and gain support from staff Lack of experience in the physical classroom Lack of pastoral experience Lack of access to staff Lack of fieldwork experience (major concerns) Burden of completing research projects Lack of frequent observations Concerns with regards to experience in marking Less opportunity for peer support Online learning A more competitive job market Rob Chambers @RobGeog Sponsored by OCR
Challenges / concerns from NQTs.. Missed opportunities on networking with other NQTs Missed developing pastoral experience Planning for online lessons being very different from planning for the physical classroom Fewer observation opportunities The jump to an NQT timetable Lack of experience in fieldwork. Rob Chambers @RobGeog Sponsored by OCR
Responding to the Challenges for ITT / NQTs / RTQs Early Careers Framework Schools will also need to have a real focus on individual / personalised needs and build in training which takes into account the following: KS2 KS3 Transition More general training in classroom pedagogy Support with teaching KS5 (where appropriate) Training related to pastoral responsibilities Fieldwork Behaviour management training / establishing classroom presence Marking and Assessment Workload management Engaging in the wider teaching community. Rob Chambers @RobGeog Sponsored by OCR
Moving Forward Final Thoughts.. Compassion will clearly need to be at the heart of how we now facing the challenges ahead as will be collaboration within the geography subject community. School leaders and Middle Managers have a key role to play If we now going to work towards solutions, we need to understand the framework of the challenges that exist and opportunities to be exploited Ultimately, we ALL have our own role to play in being compassionate to each other and our students as well as to ourselves! Rob Chambers @RobGeog Sponsored by OCR
Handout / Additional Resource: The Geography Community and Collaboration http://www.geobytes.org.uk/Geobytes%20Files/AdditionalOnlineFiles/Handout_GAConf21 _CompassionateApproach_RChambers.pdf Facebook Groups Twitter Additional Resource Support Sites Professional Development Opportunities Teacher and Student Well-being University Geography Department Outreach work / Resources for schools. A huge thank you to all those colleagues from the AQA Facebook group and those trainees, NQTs and RQTs on twitter who generously gave their time to share their thoughts and reflections on the issues considered here which have helped shape this presentation. Rob Chambers @RobGeog Sponsored by OCR
Taking a compassionate approach to post-lockdown geography teaching and learning. Questions / Thoughts? Thank you for your time. If you do have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Rob Chambers (FRGS CGeog) Twitter: @RobGeog Email: rob.chambers@astreastivo.org St Ivo Geography Department Website: www.geobytes.org.uk Rob Chambers @RobGeog Sponsored by OCR
