Risks of remote learning revealed
While debate rages as to whether Victorian students should return to school, new research has shown the potential ramifications of remote learning, with one key demographic most vulnerable.
Education
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Almost half of the nation’s school students are at risk of falling behind if remote learning continues amid the coronavirus pandemic, leading scientists have warned.
The latest academic report from the Rapid Research Information Forum found primary and secondary students from low socio-economic backgrounds were most at risk.
Schoolchildren with English as a second language or special learning needs, and those in rural and remote areas, were also unlikely to perform as well as if they were being taught face-to-face in a classroom.
The research, to be published today, reignites the Morrison Government’s push to have all students return to school amid COVID-19.
But state Education Minister James Merlino last night said the Victorian Government was staying firm on its decision to keep children at home
It comes as the deadline passed yesterday for independent and religious schools to sign up for the federal government’s funding advance to get kids back into classrooms.
Nearly 1300 non-government schools applied to have their funding brought forward under the $3 billion scheme.
It is not known how many of these were Victorian schools.
But Independent Schools Victoria data showed 90 per cent of the 70 schools who indicated their intentions as of Friday night, revealed they would not apply.
Many Victorian principals reported it was “unethical” to accept funding based on a condition at least half of its students must be in attendance at school by June 1.
It also went against the advice of Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton, who has said a return to in-class teaching could jeopardise the state’s progress in reducing coronavirus.
Up to 97 per cent of Victorian state schools have been running Term 2 online.
The forum, headed by Australia’s chief scientist Alan Finkel and led by the Australian Academy of Science, was launched on Wednesday to provide scientific-based advice to the Morrison government on virus-related questions.
Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan said the research confirmed the importance of children returning to classrooms: “It will be the vulnerable, poor, remote and indigenous students who suffer the most.
“Our government has taken a consistent position to follow the expert medical advice … that schools are safe for students and teachers with the right protocols in place.”
Educational psychology Prof Andrew Martin, from the University of NSW, said while some kids had taken to home learning, for others it had not been so easy.
“If this is not addressed promptly and directly, learning gaps can emerge and widen,” Prof Martin, who was part of the panel of 35 scientists involved in the research, said.
He said the report found “blended learning” — combining face-to-face and remote learning — may be as effective as classroom learning.
But the success of remote learning, he said, was dependent on the teacher’s instructional practices, the home support available, students’ access to technology and internet and their motivation.
Mr Merlino told the Sunday Herald Sun: “Our schools are doing everything they can to continue to provide a great education for our kids.”
“If you can learn from home you must learn from home. That is the Chief Health Officer’s clear message and if that changes we will respond accordingly,’’ he said.
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