This week I sat down with Sarah, our Impact Director, to look at parent feedback on distance education for this week’s newsletter. We were looking at whether parents say distance education works for their kids with complex attendance and health challenges.
Sarah had a stack of “qual data” in front of her, and one comment caught her eye: “He’s not interested in distance education; he wants to be with his friends. He says, ‘I like learning because I like the people I learn with.'” Sarah sighed, “This is exactly what we’ve been hearing. It’s not just about the academics; it’s the social interaction they’re missing.”
Another parent echoed this sentiment: “He doesn’t want to go back to distance education; it really affected him not being around his friends for two years. He wants that normalcy.” While distance education has its benefits, it is also challenging when it’s not a fit.
“It’s clear that the loss of relationships with friends and teachers at their census schools is impacting their mental health and wellbeing,” Sarah continued. “And, if a student does return to their census school, the disruption of friendships makes the transition back so much harder.”
She pulled out more comments. “Some parents are pointing out how their kids are struggling with self-motivation and engagement in distance education, and falling behind. They prefer the structure and interaction of joining classes with their friends, even if that’s through telepresence technology.”
We’ve also noted an increase in demand for distance education, due to the school attendance crisis, leading to waitlists. Some parents reported being turned away from services that are too stretched to take on more enrolments.
One parent mentioned how distance education teachers didn’t understand the fatigue associated with her kids’ chronic illnesses. “We are seeing evidence that distance ed schools struggle to make adjustments to workload and pacing,” Sarah shared. “And some students report minimal interaction and feedback on their work.”
This is not surprising, because distance education was designed for different circumstances, such as solving geographic isolation from school for students whose norm is continuous remote attendance.
But it wasn’t all negative. Sarah read a comment from a parent whose child had school anxiety and found relief in distance education. “For some, moving to a different schooling environment, even online, was a positive change,” she said. “In some cases of bullying or strained family-school relationships, a move to distance education worked well.”
Our response to news of NSW Education’s review of “distance learning provision in NSW” asks: Why can’t the paradigm shift so all schools follow workplaces – and even VET and university sectors – into the 21st century by adopting ‘learn from anywhere’ through assistive technology, giving students virtual ‘presence’ to learn and socialise alongside classmates when physical access is not possible?
We’ve popped some more information about the Review below, along with links to our response, and some ed tech resources. There’s a link for families of school-aged children to get free broadband if you’re not connected at home. And nod to World Sickle Cell Day.
“As technology changes the way we communicate, connect, create, consume and innovate, it is democratising access to opportunity. Education is no exception.” ~ Laura Andreessen
NSW Distance Education Review
The Sunday Telegraph carried news of a NSW Education Review of Distance Learning in NSW including the provision of alternate hybrid and virtual models of teaching and learning to enhance equity and opportunity for students disadvantaged by physical limitations in accessing the curriculum. MissingSchool welcomes the review and looks forward to more detail on how it will be conducted. Our more detailed response to the announcement can be read at the link below or in Education Review. READ MORE
Evaluating Edtech in Australia
Educational technology (edtech) has increased in popularity, use and availability since the pandemic. This two- part spotlight from the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) evaluates the evidence for edtech and looks at how it has influenced practice in Australian schools. It includes analysis of what works best for indigenous and neurodiverse students and students with disabilities, and how teachers can be supported with professional learning to maximise benefits for all involved. CHECK IT OUT
The Future Is Now
Living in today’s world, we’re pretty lucky to have so many tech options at our fingertips. Think about it, just ten years ago, the thought of using telepresence technology to help students with complex attendance and health challenges learn from anywhere was more of a sci-fi dream than anything else. Now, it’s not only possible but it’s becoming a go-to solution across the country with schools using robots and tools they already have on hand, like Zoom, Teams, or Webex. Click for info on telepresence options. FIND OUT MORE
Free Internet For Unconnected Families
Did you know the Australian Government is providing up to 30,000 unconnected families with school aged children a free National Broadband Network (NBN) service until the end of 2025? The School Student Broadband Initiative aims to narrow the digital divide. A National Referral Centre, operated by Anglicare Victoria, allows families to self-nominate and have their eligibility checked. Families can contact the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 or at the link below. FIND OUT MORE
World Sickle Cell Day
This week we marked World Sickle Cell Day! Celebrated on 19 June each year, it’s a day to raise awareness, improve treatment and help find a cure. We acknowledge the work of Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Australia, and all they do to make the world a better place for Australians living with genetic haemoglobin conditions. Their Youth Hub has some great resources. Show them some love and give them a follow! CHECK THEM OUT
At MissingSchool, we believe in the power of community. Together, we can create environments where every child feels like they belong.
It would be impossible for us to stay the course without your incredible support. There are many ways to help:
- follow along and cheer us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
- share this newsletter with your family, friends, or colleagues so we can support more kids, and
- donate towards getting kids with complex conditions back into their classroom.
Every action moves us closer to the finish line: a world where every child is seen and heard at school. Where ‘learn from anywhere’ is universal.
Let’s keep connecting,
Megan
CEO & Cofounder
