During the first week of placement, I observed a range of science lessons delivered by different teachers, and one thing that really stood out was how each had their own unique approach to teaching remotely. This inspired me to find my own style when I started teaching remotely as well. Despite being physically separate from the students at my placement school, I have been getting to know them really well over the past few weeks. It’s exciting to think that before too much longer we will finally be able to meet in person.

I have been surprised and impressed by the quality of learning and teaching that takes place remotely. At my own placement school, it was clear from the start that students are receiving a standard of education that is just as high as that which they would get in school. The teachers are hugely committed to maintaining that. At the same time, we are finding new ways to incorporate innovative and creative activities into lessons because of the different features of online learning.

Personally, my proudest achievement has been managing to teach remotely and enjoying it as much as I have! Before the placement began, I was really nervous about the technology side of things in particular and I never expected that I would enjoy it this much. The school have really supported me – and got me excited about stepping outside my comfort zone. It’s been a really positive experience.

I have found myself paying particular attention to communicating clearly and effectively in the classroom. Because we cannot see students working, communication is a vital part of remote lessons and I have worked hard both on giving instructions, and on my use of formative assessment to determine how much students are picking up during lessons. The remote experience has shown me just how important formative assessment is: although I already knew it was pivotal, it becomes even more vital when you have to ensure that students are following a lesson while they are hidden behind laptop screens.

Another major thing I’ve picked up from this placement is the value of maintaining positive relationships with students. On the one hand, I have really appreciated the importance of building up students’ confidence and engagement through encouragement and feedback. Beyond that, however, even simple conversations about how students are, what they have been up to, or what they are looking forward to, matter so much at the moment. While schools have been closed, what you might call the informal, social aspect of being at school, can easily be lost. Even brief exchanges at the beginning and end of lessons to check in with students have become really important. I have definitely learned a lot about cultivating a positive connection with students at those different levels. My hope is that this will give me a strong foundation on which to build as we return to in-person lessons.