From the Executive

Remote learning at Mazenod

To suggest that the last two months have been a drastic change for schools across the world would be a massive understatement. On the surface, it may seem like teachers and students have simply shifted what they would ordinarily do in a classroom to an online environment. However, this is simply not how education works. Successful education requires teachers to constantly adapt their methodology to ensure that all students are engaged and able to meet learning outcomes irrespective of their individual abilities and needs. Many of the techniques that are successful in the classroom do not translate effectively to remote learning. As such, many teachers have been planning and conducting lessons in ways they might never have imagined: 

• Instrumental music staff have been successfully teaching individual music lessons online since day one.
• Many staff have converted their kitchens, sheds and lounge rooms into makeshift film studios to record practical videos for their new YouTube channels.
• Hours have been spent perfecting screencasting videos to demonstrate difficult concepts.
• Feedback has been provided in a variety of formats including written, video and audio comments and annotated work.
• Video conferences have been used to introduce lessons, facilitate group work, answer questions and maintain the wellbeing of students.

All staff entered this period with varying levels of online experience and skills and have undertaken several years of professional development in a matter of weeks. Up until the end of term 1, many had never attended, let alone run, a video conference yet most staff are now conducting Google Meet sessions with up to six classes each day. Many have been doing all of this while juggling the parenting and supervision of their own children, a truly mammoth task. 

It is very important that we acknowledge the efforts of our students. They have been hit hard by the postponement and cancellation of many of the aspects of Mazenod that they look forward to. Many have said that they have enjoyed sleeping in, working at their own pace and eating noodles during period 4. They have no doubt developed skills in resilience, organisation and independence that they will carry throughout their future education. Others unfortunately have lacked motivation and are struggling to work without their peers and without being constantly driven by their teachers. For those that have struggled, education expert John Hattie says “let’s not get stressed about it”. He acknowledges that teachers have done a remarkable job in instantly transitioning to remote teaching but any shortfalls will be recovered reasonably quickly upon returning to the classroom.

With an end in sight, I’d like to thank staff, students and parents for their cooperation throughout this difficult period. When normal classes resume, we hope to use many of our new technological skills and experiences to ensure that we continue to provide a quality education for the Mazenod College Community. 

Mr Adrian De Fanti

Dean of Staff - Learning and Innovation