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Lessons from Remote Learning

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Yesterday marked the first day that all students could resume studies back on campus at Northside Christian College. Phase 3 of the College’s Return to School Plan involved Year 7 – 10 students returning to face-to-face learning after eight weeks of remote learning. It was an especially exciting day for our Year 7 students, who commenced lessons in newly renovated portable classrooms.

As a College community, we have begun the process of reflecting on the lessons learned during remote learning. Secondary School students participated in a range of debrief sessions throughout the day yesterday, which provided them with an opportunity to share their own reflections from remote learning. We aim to use this feedback to build upon many of the initiatives implemented by the College during the remote learning phase.

In 2019, Northside Christian College strategically introduced a “flipped learning” model to further support face-to-face student learning. “Flipped learning” reverses traditional teaching methods, where the teacher talks about a topic at school and assigns homework that reinforces that day's material. The instruction is instead delivered outside of class, via, for example, online video tutorials. The flipped learning model typically allows teachers to spend more class time focusing on engaging with students, meeting their specific needs, and supporting them to apply their learning. In turn, students are offered improved opportunities to apply their knowledge and become active learners during class time. Accessing knowledge resources via flipped learning allows students to view them as many times as needed and gives them time to:

  • build and consolidate background knowledge,
  • consider what they may have difficulty understanding,
  • develop clarifying questions.

Flipped learning resources were a significant aspect of the College’s approach to supporting students during remote learning and contributed to the overall success of negotiating this unprecedented time. During remote learning, teachers created digital videos and provided students with a range of resources and tools to develop the specific knowledge needed prior to scheduled online classes. Sessions with the teacher then focused on applying that knowledge. Many of our teachers reported feeling more confident and prepared for the rapid transition to remote learning due to their prior professional learning and familiarity with the flipped learning model. Many of our College’s students also found the change to remote learning less overwhelming because of their previous experiences with flipped learning.

The flipped learning model will continue to be implemented at the College throughout the year as a key strategic initiative. Staff at the College have been looking forward to seeing our students face-to-face and building on the learning that took place during the past eight weeks. We will, however, keep reflecting on the lessons from remote learning so we can continue to grow and learn together as a College community.

Welcome back to Northside!

Michael Bond, Deputy Principal / Head of Secondary School

 


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Northside Christian College
31 McLeans Rd, Bundoora VIC 3083, Australia
Phone: 03 9467 2499
ncc@ncc.vic.edu.au