No matter where you are in the world, we know that your child’s learning experience will have been affected by the global pandemic. It has caused perhaps the biggest upheaval in education for many years but for those with the right vision it has created the opportunity to transform the classroom. Technology-enabled learning has put schools like Regents at the very forefront of enhanced learning both at home in the virtual world and face to face at school.
Nicole Sargeant, Head of Innovation at Regents, took part in a live panel debate at EDUtech, one of the world’s leading education technology events. The expert panel examined the future of hybrid learning and how educators can best prepare for a blended education model post-COVID.
As one of the leading experts in this field and with her recent experience of helping to establish Regents virtual learning experience, Nicole led the discussion on what a world-class online learning environment means, how using technology can enhance the delivery of an outstanding blended learning experience, and technology’s role in student wellbeing. Invitations to speak at these types of events demonstrate Nord Anglia Education and Regents' growing reputation as thought leaders in the use of education technology in schools and highlight the impact these changes will have on our children’s learning experience for many years to come.
Over the past 18 months Regents has transitioned smoothly between on campus learning and virtual school and is continuously reviewing and enhancing the virtual school experience by listening to feedback from students, families, and teachers.
Regents learnt quickly that a streamlined use of technology using Microsoft Teams worked best for the school community and a blended approach using connected time with ‘live’ input from the teacher and guided time where students work through structured self-paced tasks and activities set by their teacher was the right balance between on and offline learning time; allowing children to make the most of personalised learning from home, no matter what year group they are in.
Adopting technology for our virtual school has resulted in some amazing benefits for students, teachers and parents which we will continue to use whether face to face or virtually. One of the most successful aspects of this experience has been the tools that students can now use to organize their work, manage their time, take assessments, revise and collaborate with their peers and their teachers. Students now use digital notebooks, rather than traditional paper exercise books. This means they can still write their notes but now they can include useful links, diagrams and pictures all in one place. It has become an interactive, engaging space and far more eco-friendly than using paper.
It has enabled us to take personalised learning many steps forward with teachers able to see how long students take on a task, when they are working on it, where they are struggling and may need more help, where they are finding something easy and need more of a challenge. Where students can be reluctant to ask questions in front of their peers if they do not understand this has provided a safe environment for students to engage with their teachers.
It has also given parents a window to their child’s education that has never been so accessible. They can see what work is due, whether it has been completed or not, what the work is, what the expectations are and it has opened a direct channel for communication with their child’s teachers. Virtual parent workshops have also meant working parents who would struggle to have the time to be able to come into school have been able to attend and be more involved.
Despite the challenges of the past two years there have been many valuable lessons learnt and significant steps forward in delivering personalised learning for students and giving parents far greater involvement in their child’s education. This greater collaboration can only have a positive impact on our children and their future success.
Discover the Virtual School Experience at Regents here.
Regents International School Pattaya
