VIEWS & OPINION


"The tools available to schools to enable remote learning, and how to


adapt existing systems" SIMON CARTER, Marketing and Propositions Director at RM Education, discusses how schools can adapt their existing systems to move teaching online.


This is definitely not business as usual for anyone, but it’s crucial that businesses, schools and education professionals come together to provide as normal a service as possible that supports teachers to keep teaching and students to carry on learning. Irrespective of whether a school is Google or Microsoft-orientated, it’s


important that they understand the best ways to ensure that their establishment can keep operating – both in terms of teaching their pupils remotely, but also in making sure that the important administrative matters associated with operating a school are covered. Some schools were already well on their way to the cloud before this


happened, and hence have found the new working conditions relatively seamless. For others, they have had to source new hardware devices for students, change the way that files are stored, and very quickly move staff and pupils to a remote operation, including all the training and systems that goes with that. What’s important now is that schools can rely on their technology


provider and their workforce of engineers to continue working to support them – albeit whilst following the Government’s decision to restrict the movement of people. Thankfully, many technology providers are able to most of what they need to do remotely from home; given that they are able to fix almost all issues through remote access to school systems, and school devices. Much of the support that teachers are currently looking for from their


technology partner is in help setting up to teach remotely – usually via either Google Hangouts or Microsoft Teams – where they are seeking advice, online training and guidance (for example via videos produced by their technology partner and/or by Google and Microsoft themselves), and/or simply sharing any tips, advice and best practice – such as that which RM have produced on their website www.rm.com/education/covid19 In times like these, there are three areas that technology can really


18 www.education-today.co.uk


make a difference for schools being able to seamlessly and effectively deliver lessons. The first of which is in the management of information; and making it


possible for senior leaders and teachers to access and use information stored on their IT system remotely through cloud systems, even though a school site may be closed or restricted. Secondly, it’s important for teachers and students to be able to log on


and access the resources they need in an easy way – for example by selecting a technology solution that allows them to do this via a single username and password from any device, anywhere that has an internet connection; or where the school is able to customise the view for different groups in the school community, so that they only see what is relevant to them. Lastly, it’s critical for schools to be able to keep in close contact with


all audiences – not least parents, and software that helps schools manage this – for example by SMS and email messaging – from whole- school broadcasts to connecting with individual parents – is incredibly important to have in place. One of the early consequences of social distancing and isolation that


we are seeing is an even faster move by society – including teachers and educators – to social media – for information provision, but also for direct reporting of support issues. At RM, we have launched #RMTopTips – a daily suggestion on Twitter and LinkedIn – to help educators get more from remote learning; whether that is how to stop a student muting their teacher during a MS Teams lesson, or where best to site your broadband router to maximise a pupil’s connectivity. Fundamentally, our education system is a public service and


technology is now a critical part of ensuring schools can continue educating our children across the country. Everyone, from schools to vendors, must come together to support teachers and students as best we can as we work through this challenge.


April 2020 E-learning Supplement


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