TTUTA Tobago: Learning platforms ineffective

TTUTA Tobago Officer Bradon Roberts said that the e-learning platforms set up by the THA Division of Education, Innovation and Energy have not been as effective as expected.

In April the division relaunched its website and began online classes as part of the e-learning initiatives.

Speaking with Newsday on Friday, Roberts said while the e-learning has not made the desired impact it has achieved a one of its purposes.

“To keep as many children as active as possible. That is why teachers were asked to do more remedial work, because you would not be reaching everybody,” he said.

He noted that with schools physically closed and children now under the responsibility of their parents or guardian, effective participation by children cannot be guaranteed.

“Some would have misbehaved somewhat which would have resulted in a note that came out of the division, there was no signature attached, which advised schools to stop doing all Zoom lessons, so a lot less teachers are using Zoom.

“Some teachers have been using the platform from the ministry and some teachers are still trying to use the WhatsApp and various means. There are few teachers who may still be using Zoom but not as much as before, without safety measures and guidelines and training... not just training for use of the platform but the mental training development needed for these children. A certain level of discipline and maturity would be needed during this time and it was just sprung upon us without that grooming into.”

Roberts said he is currently working with a team at the division to plan for September and beyond.

“I believe, should challenges arise in September, we had a learning period in which something more solid would be developed. The team in the division will look at what September could be like if there are challenges and how we can utilise the online learning, so here is the preparation phase.

“I am not angry or even disappointed that we tried the online because it gave us something to learn from, so it’s now to plan for the future.”

Additionally, some teachers have volunteered and have been videotaping their lessons to be broadcast on Tobago Channel 5 and on Tobago Channel Five’s Facebook live. Roberts does not believe those classes have made an impact in the learning experience of students.

“Even those would not be as effective. A teacher who has a class would know the capabilities in the class, they would know how to make the lessons relatable to their particular child. Teaching is not as simple as people think it is, a teacher is like an engineer, things would happen on the project where you have to alter certain things. So, a television lesson is for who is able to follow... there is no interaction where the teacher could see if the children understand or if a student needs further explanation.

“It’s more of an engagement than to say it is interactive to the point where you can guarantee learning.”

Roberts said apart from this, the channel is only accessible to those with cable TV.

“Channel 5 would have the issue in that not many homes in Tobago have Channel 5, that is to start with. It's also placed on the Facebook page but that is for those who would go that extra mile to look at it, so I’m not certain that it has a wide reach.”

President of the Tobago Region of the PTA Denise Nelson-Frank said the reviews have been mixed.

“It all depends on whether they have access, whether they have experience with technology and that kind of stuff. The experience has really been varied,” she said.

School Supervisor III at the Division of Education SherryAnn Rollocks-Hackett said she has heard the concerns that some students are not actively participating.

“I am thinking that we have to do some 'reach out' to parents to get them to be more involved. We have some teachers who are going beyond and trying and they’re complaining that they’re not getting the active participation of students and parents... once you’re home now, it is also on the parents to monitor the child to ensure that the child goes online and do what is required in a timely fashion.

"I know that can be challenging but that is another issue that we would have to treat with very seriously in terms of how we get the parents involved,” she said.

She said research unit at the division will be compiling data on the number of students participating in the classes.