Parents suggest online learning to fill in for teachers and subjects
Parents have suggested“digital native” pupils could be taught online due to a teacher shortage in Scottish schools, which limits subject choice.
The National Parent Forum of Scotland said greater use of technology could ensure pupils were able to study what they wanted, regardless of what was on offer locally.
Although all schools in Scotland are connected through a schools’ internet called Glow, the use of digital techno logy for remote teaching is not widely used, apart from in farflung schools in the Highlands and Islands.
Last month, a report by the Reform Scotland think-tank found the number of National 4 and National 5 qualifications on offer is in decline.
A majority of schools now only offer six subjects in the fourth year of secondary school compared to eight or nine a few years ago, while private schools are continuing to offer up to nine.
A poll for the Scottish Parliament’s education committee found 76 per cent of parents felt children were not able to take all the subjects they wanted, with timetabling clashes and staff short ages blamed. Hoerbrt, it is hoped the internet provide a solution.
Joanna Murphy, chair of the National Parent Forum of Scotland, said: “Obviously a teacher in ever y classroom is the b est option, but until we solve the teacher shortage then we need to think laterally and digital means could easily be the solution.
“Our children are digital natives and while we as adults can’t imagine being taught via a screen, our children are used to it.
“They already turn to online support such as BBC Bitesize and Youtube when they are revising.
“They seem to be able to cope with this and it’s them doing the learning so maybe it’s us holding them back.”
Laura Gordon, head teacher of the Highland Virtual Academy, said the technology worked well with no negative impact on results.
The initiative, which uses a video conferencing app, was established three years ago to enhance the curriculum for schools across the Highlands.
Ms Gordon said: “We now have up to 150 pupils studying courses and we have 270 applications for next year.”
Under the model, the academy runs a set programme of National, Higher and Advanced Higher courses every year.
But Susan Quinn, convener of the education committee of the Educational Institute of Scotland union, warned that the technology should not be used to replace traditional face-to-face teaching.