ÃÛÌÒapp

The examples of school leaders and teachers going above and beyond to support their students learning, parents brushing up on their own skills to better support their children or the countless celebrities and organisations making their resources freely available, have been inspiring.

Learning is at the heart of everything we do at ÃÛÌÒapp. In these uncertain times, it's been critical that learning continues, so we’ve concentrated our efforts on innovating the resources and services we provide to best support young people, educators and parents with the challenges that have come their way.While the pandemic is most certainly not behind us, it’s possible to reflect on what learning over lockdown has taught us so far, and what it might mean for the future of education.

Here are a few things that have been highlighted and critical over this extraordinary time:

Digital Learning

From remote video lessons to online platforms and learning apps, digital learning has been a fundamental feature of lockdown-learning.

ÃÛÌÒapp’s online lessons and maths school have supported half a million students over lockdown, while UK Learns has enabled learners to access certified courses in the comfort and safety of their homes.

Digital learningis here to stay, but what does it mean for teachers? It’s not simply about adding technology to classrooms, but about understanding the unique advantages that are essential in using a digital approach.

The opportunity for individualised learning pathways and the greater flexibility in the time, place and manner in which students now learn all need to be considered.

We are reviewing our pedagogical approach, so it’s informed by the possibilities opened up to us by online learning, which has meant a re-examination in how learning best takes place. Of course, we’reÌýalso considering the infrastructure required to ensure accessibility andÌýinclusivity for all.

The importance of assessment

The cancellation of this year’s exams has reinforcedÌýthe value of different kinds of assessment and the importance pupils place onÌýdemonstrating what they can do.

We’re supporting schools and colleges to make sureÌýthat young people can continue to make progress and move on to the next stepsÌýin their education or career, despite the circumstances.

Looking forward, both formative and summativeÌýassessments have significant roles to play.Ìý

In the wake of such disrupted learning, formative assessment will beÌýcrucial in helping teachers to understand where children are with theirÌýknowledge, identifying gaps and informing them of the best support forÌýprogression.

Every learner is unique and will have been impacted inÌýdifferent ways. Innovations in technology and learning will make assessmentsÌýmore accessible and inclusive, enabling teachers to gather robust views ofÌýevery student's performance including those with SEN and differing learning needs.

Happy and healthy school communities

There’s no doubt that these unsettling times have hadÌýa significant impact on people’s mental health and wellbeing.

It’sÌýcrucial that as schools return, we not only focus on academic progress, butÌýwork together to foster a culture of positive wellbeing and mental health.ÌýThere may be a new sense of anxiety around returning to school for students andÌýteachers alike, alongside potential behavioural issues as children revisitÌýstructured learning in the classroom.

A priority must be to build healthy andÌýhappy schools where learning can take place effectively.The interest in our Wellbeing Zone, a space with free resources ranging from advice on coping with
anxiety, to mindfulness and resilience-building techniques for teachers,Ìýparents and students, has demonstrated that this is at the forefront of peoples’Ìýminds.

Continued collaboration - the village behindÌýevery child

The pandemic has highlighted the power ofÌýcollaboration - how people, sectors and communities have come together toÌýsupport one another through challenging times. The same can be said of education and the village ofÌýpeople and organisations who care about children’s learning and who strive toÌýsupport it in whatever way they can.

As the dust starts to settle in the wake of COVID-19,Ìýnow, more than ever before, it will be important for us to harness theseÌýnetworks, remove barriers to learning and ensure that children can aspire andÌýachieve without limits following this period of significant upheaval and loss.

At ÃÛÌÒapp, we’re committed to continuing toÌýcollaborate as we navigate this ‘new normal’ together.Ìý