Children and parents alike tackle remote learning 4.0

Collective groans rung out across Victoria as parents, students and teachers learnt “Remote Learning 4.0” was in place.

Whilst the experience in regional Victoria was thankfully short and excited students headed back to school on Friday, spare a thought for those in Cardinia Shire who are still in Lockdown until Thursday.

Lynleigh Berry, teacher and mother of two students at Bunyip Primary School, said it was tough as she balances teaching her two young daughters along with her regular class. 

“We’re not sure how long it’s going to go for. But everyone is managing the best they can,” she said.

Melissa, who works on the family farm while her husband works night shifts, reflects many parents’ feelings in saying “the most rewarding thing has been spending extra time with my children.  Also, the most challenging thing has been spending extra time with my children.”

Melissa has tried to maintain a normal school routine for her 13-year-old son Rhylee studying year seven at Drouin Secondary College, and 11-year-old Cody in grade six and seven-year-old Oscar in grade one, both at Poowong Consolidated Primary School.  She also has three-year-old daughter Maizy.

“(The) two primary age work at the kitchen table so I can help and Rhylee mainly works independently in his room, whilst the three-year-old graffiti’s half the house,” jokes Melissa.

“I constantly feel like I’m failing,” reflects Melissa. “It’s really challenging to give everyone 100 per cent of your attention when your mind is on the million other things you need to be doing.  

"I’m listening to readers, brushing up on persuasive writing and humanities, all while juggling house and farm work and wrangling a toddler.

“The kids and my mental health are far more important than a bunch of ticks or green lights on a task bar,” she said.  “Not all lessons are learnt in the classroom, we live and learn.”

For Lynleigh, finding a balance and keeping perspective are vital as she guides daughters Amy and Tess, who are in grade three and prep respectively, as well as an entire grade 2/3 class.

“It’s pretty hectic in the mornings,” said Lynleigh of running Zoom classes for her grade, coordinating Amy and Tess’ commitments and fielding questions from students and parents.

“It’s tough. But it’s nice to spend more time with your kids, know what they are doing and where they are at.”

“You miss your kids you’re teaching.  My class is just the most beautiful bunch of kids.”

“We’ve got to keep things in perspective.  It’s a small price to pay for community health and we are really lucky to live here, we could be in India or Brazil.”

Working on a roster system, Lynleigh teaches on site one day with four days working from home.

Overall, she said the fourth instalment had been easier due to familiarity with learning platforms and forward planning.

“We didn’t know what was going to happen but definitely had a sense of what might happen,” she said.

Asked what advice she would give if she could go back in time to the first instalment of remote learning, Lynleigh said “I would say take a breath, relax and try not to drink as much.  This won’t be forever.”