Teacher’s in India... but still keeping an eye on the pupils

FOR pupils it may sound like the ideal opportunity to shrug off schoolwork.

And the idea of a teacher trying to maintain control while getting through a lesson by video link from hundreds of miles away might make parents apprehensive about discipline.

But that’s what is being trialled in the Western Isles.

E-school, or e-Sgoil to give its correct Gaelic name, uses modern technology to connect pupils on the islands with teachers who may be based in an entirely different country.

The aim is to tackle a longstanding shortage of teachers, especially those who may not want to live in remote island communities but still have a passion for education.

By using tablet computers with two-way webcams, a watchful eye can be kept on any potential skivers or troublemakers, while lessons – which can range from Gaelic to music – can also be marked in real time. It also allows the pupils to interact with the teacher and could improve access to specialist subjects.

E-Sgoil was piloted in August 2016 and now has 14 teachers who work across eight local authorities.

Headteacher of e-Sgoil Angus MacLennan, 53, from Harris, said: ‘Teachers can monitor the behaviour through the screen and see what the children are writing on.’

Despite the fact the teacher is not in the room, Mr MacLennan said children misbehaving hasn’t been an issue. He added: ‘We have had few incidences of misbehaviour – I could count them on one hand.’

And while most of the teachers are based on the Western Isles, lessons have been taught from around the world.

Mr MacLennan said: ‘On one occasion we had lessons delivered from India – another teacher went to Lisbon on holiday and taught a lesson from his hotel room there.’

‘Taught a lesson from hotel room’