Teachers are honoured for their ‘inspirational’ pandemic lessons

TEACHERS who were at the forefront of providing free virtual geography lessons for secondary pupils stuck at home during the Covid-19 pandemic have been awarded medals by the Perth-based Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS).

The Tivy Education Medal has been presented to a group of volunteers and inspirational teachers, for their collective work during the pandemic.

When Covid-19 struck, there were very limited learning resources for students during lockdown.

RSGS pulled together a small team of teachers and film-makers to try to help. The team created 26 virtual Chalk Talks lessons covering the National 5 and Higher Geography curriculums, from glaciers to coasts, cities to deserts, and everything in between.

Collectively, the lessons accumulated more than 35,000 views on RSGS YouTube, and remain a popular online resource despite restrictions now easing.

The team behind the lessons included Alastair McConnell, Jennifer McLean, Gill Dean, Keith Turner, Alex Wylie, Carl

Phillips, Jacqueline Smith, and Shiv Das.

The presentation saw them each awarded medals and RSGS Honorary Fellowship for their “exemplary and inspirational contribution to teaching”.

The staff from Dollar Academy, Morrison’s Academy, Boroughmuir High School, Speyside High School and Kilgraston School, were welcomed at a special event at RSGS headquarters in Perth on Saturday by board vicechair Professor Ken Muir.

Professor Muir said: “The Chalk Talks free online geography lessons have set the standard for others to follow in providing virtual learning resources in Scottish schools. The award of RSGS’s Tivy Medal to the creators of the talks recognises their tremendous professional commitment and creativity in supporting geography students and their teachers.

“The high quality and engaging videos they have helped us produce were much used by geography teachers and students during the pandemic, and provide a superb resource as we move to a world of increased digital learning.”

The Chalk Talks team with their medals.