The education sector has been turned upside down, and now schools are having to rely on everything at its disposal to help keep things going whilst the lockdown measures take place. With so many distractions close by, learning from home can be tricky but we think the real challenge is on the teachers. We’ve spoken to teachers up and down the country and put together a list of what we think are the best tools out there to help keep your lessons on lockdown.

Google Teach From Home Hub

Renowned for its comprehensive suite of cloud-based tools, including ones designed specifically for schools, Google has stepped into the ring with a comprehensive hub of remote learning solutions. From live streaming lessons, to using Google Classroom to set assignments, the hub contains everything teachers need to keep things ticking over whilst working from home.

Free online resources

Recognising the need for a stretched education sector, some news outlets such as TES and The Economist have made teaching from home resources available to teachers online and totally free of charge. When normal channels to plan lessons aren’t available, ready-to-go online resources are a godsend.

Seneca

Seneca is a free distance learning platform, designed for teachers to plan, deliver and assess assignments, entirely remotely. Built from the curriculum of the main examination boards, Seneca is an ideal platform for teachers who are looking to prepare students adequately for GCSE and A Level exams.

Whatsapp and Social Media

When we spoke to teachers about how their school was coping with the lockdown, a recurring response was that teachers, like in all sectors, feel most supported when they can stay in contact with colleagues. WhatsApp and social media platforms allow teachers to stay in touch and allow senior staff to identify and raise feedback quickly. Some schools are even using Twitter to set weekly challenges with staff such as a lip sync battle!

Although it won’t be perfect, it’s important to recognise the value of education technology in facilitating high standards of education in these tricky times, and beyond. However, it’s important to remember that things aren’t going to go exactly as planned. Teachers, like everyone else, are themselves learning to pivot and change teaching styles to accommodate this new way of living.