Network studies student engagement
Wimmera educational leaders assessing the effects of COVID-19 are confident students will bounce back from remote learning.
All Victorian state school students are back in class this week in the final stage of a staggered reopening to minimise the risk of transmission of the virus.
Wimmera Southern Mallee Local Learning and Employment Network executive officer Tim Shaw said schools had reported positive feedback from parents and students throughout the remote-learning process, despite the major changes to curriculum.
But he said the network had concerns for some students, particularly the disadvantaged or children studying their Victorian Certificate of Education, VCE, in their final year of schooling.
Mr Shaw said the organisation would continue to monitor feedback from schools and help provide the best possible outcomes for students.
He said many Wimmera schools, such as Horsham College, were taking a ‘targeted’ approach to ensure all students were keeping up with study as face-to-face learning resumed.
He said the college identified students who appeared to have fallen behind in their studies, while sourcing feedback from teachers, to see whether there were patterns of behaviour.
Horsham College year-11 students Cody Frizon and Isabelle Overman are among students who have returned to normal classroom routines.
The VCE students said they were confident they were making a positive rebound from the upended curriculum in term two, adding that their teachers were ‘highly’ supportive throughout the pandemic.
Both students said they believed remote learning had driven them to become self-sufficient learners.
Cody said although motivation proved difficult while studying from home, remote learning helped shape his ability to manage tasks more independently.
“The main challenges were learning new content we hadn’t learnt in class previously,” he said.
“It was hard to get used to staying on task and doing the work alone. But I stayed motivated, I didn’t want to fall behind – I had to be self-disciplined.”
Cody said he felt more prepared for year 12, where he believed self-determination was key for success.
“What affected me most was knowing I could take control of it myself – it’s prepared us a fair bit,” he said.
“Year 12 requires more study and revision at home. It’s something you have to take into your own hands.”
Isabelle said she stayed motivated to keep on track during the remote-learning experience.
“I was driven to get it done. I wanted to have time to myself, so I would get it all done to enjoy the rest of the day,” she said. Like Cody, Isabelle said she felt she could take command of her learning outcomes.
“I feel like I’m more independent – I feel like I’m now more motivated at home,” she said.
“Now that we’re back in school, I think it will be fine – but we don’t know what’s going to happen, we could be back at home if things don’t go well.”
Beyond pandemic
Mr Shaw said although there was positive feedback from schools, Wimmera Southern Mallee Local Learning and Employment Network, LLEN, would continue to monitor student engagement to ensure positive learning outcomes beyond the pandemic.
“There are some concerns that there could be a level of complete disengagement from young people who might have been struggling with their education before COVID-19 – that will be a challenge for schools,” he said.
“The feedback we’re getting from schools is a lot of students are doing really well, working hard and impressing teachers with their work ethic and attitude regarding their studies.
“But on the other side of that, it has amplified some of the disadvantages some young people are facing, possibly due to lack of support, in some cases in the home.”
Mr Shaw said the LLEN was particularly concerned for students studying their VCE or students who were disadvantaged.
“I’m sure there’s significant challenges for VCE students in year 12 having to prepare for final exams at the end of the year,” he said.
“It’s not the same for every young person, some will rise above it and continue to do well, for others it’s been a real challenge to do the work and get the support to get the score they want.
“But I think universities will be very aware of the challenges these students have undertaken.”
Mr Shaw said the network would continue to provide opportunities for young people through its Vocational Education and Training, VET, work placements, literacy, mentoring and range of educational and support programs.