Over the last few months almost all schools and educational settings have struggled to meet the unprecedented demands of having to provide “blended learning” during the ongoing pandemic. Whilst many schools are planning for a full return of pupils at the start of the Autumn Term it is quite probable ,with Covid spikes across Europe, that this mix of on-site and remote education is here for the longer term, with face to face teaching less than guaranteed.
From a project basis it has reiterated to us that digital literacy is so key for pupils, teachers and parents alike.Educational settings across Europe are all putting the final touches to their contingency plans for the new term and support to facilitate blended learning is a top priority.
The Higher Education Policy Institute’s article below discusses a number of the challenges posed by blended learning and is well worth reflecting on.
In the meantime the project is faced with the challenge of how to potentially manage to hold its last Transnational Project Meeting virtually, if we are unable to hold it in person in Lithuania in October. Necessity is driving us all to become more efficient video conferencers however how do you manage to structure a meeting that would have required two solid days working to help tie up the end of a project? Sometimes face-face is a necessity and not just a desirable.
Further reading: Online learning: Are we asking the right questions?