Three long-serving SA teachers reveal how new curriculums and screens have changed how students learn

Attention spans might not be the same as they were in the old days but these three SA teachers say the kids aren’t the only ones who’ve changed.

Marryatville Primary School teachers Sheryl Simpson and Sue Shywolup with students Sunny, Sofia Florence, Caleb and Ryan. Picture: Brett Hartwig

When Marryatville Primary School teachers Sue Shywolup and Sheryl Simpson started teaching four decades ago, they had to make copies of work sheets by hand for each student.

They are among teachers who have been recognised for their long service with the Education Department.

“I have quite vivid memories of when you want to make work sheets, of having to hand do those on this very smelly, purple copy paper that you put onto this machine,” said Ms Shywolup, who has been at the eastern suburbs school for 18 years.

But technology is not the only change in her time teaching.

“The way that children focus is different, they’re not as good at tuning into the human voice because they’re always on screens,” the Year 3 teacher said.

Teacher Helen Peake has been working at Murray Bridge High School for about 50 years. Picture: Supplied

“They get used to the visual aspect of screens and unless you’re a highly animated teacher … you’ve got to come up with different tricks to hold their attention.”

However, kids today have strategies to regulate their emotions, something which “was not going on 40 years ago”.

Her co-worker, Ms Simpson, who teaches early primary-level students, said while the curriculum now is more adaptable, it comes with challenges she did not face in decades gone by.

“I sometimes think because we’re trying to get through everything, the thing that’s sacrificed … is that relationship building,” the teacher said.

“We don’t have as much time to read stories or listen to what children want to tell you.”

While some are born with silver spoons in their mouths, fellow long-serving teacher Helen Peake says she believes she was born “with a Murray Bridge High School spoon”.

Before her 50-year career at the school began, both of her parents taught there as early as the 1940s.

Ms Peake said schools now “are much more into student wellbeing”, which has allowed kids who struggle with school to stay engaged.

Originally published as Three long-serving SA teachers reveal how new curriculums and screens have changed how students learn