Coronavirus: Coping in education: links, resources, tips and IT concerns

[HarryMonkey]

I can see that might offer some protection as it mitigates against face-to-face risk, but with the closeness of pupils sitting either side of each other, should there be screening there too? I note the DfE guidance doesn't mention screening (apart from Phonics screening, but that's another matter!). Shop guidance does, and describes it as a means to separate each other as part of the 'plus' on 1m+ guidance.

 

Our understanding here in school is that there is no requirement for students to be apart.

[MrBitey]

Thanks! I am on the vulnerable (not extremely vulnerable) list so I feel like the onus in school has been put more on me to keep myself safe. I have a personal Risk Assessment which was put in place when I came back to work. I guess that's going to need to be revised because, currently, it precludes me from being in a class full of children. The Ps that B are still not quite sure what they are going to do with the suite as it's a bit of a bubble burster!

[MrBitey]

Our understanding here in school is that there is no requirement for students to be apart.

 

Yes. Just speaking to one of the teachers and that seems to be the understanding here too.

 

I think I am going to suggest that we 'block' the ICT lessons so that a class will cover all of a half term's Computing objectives in one week.

I'm sure they won't go for it as they are not great at accepting novel ideas but who knows, maybe they will surprise me.

[Ditto]

In the DfE guidance, there is use of the word 'must', which is effectively a statutory requirement - a school would need a darn good reason not to follow a 'must' statement. Then there are the 'should' and 'avoid' type statements, where if it's appropriate to your school, then probably you ought to be following the guidance if possible. I think the key thing is to keep a perspective on the big goal of managing the risks and taking balanced steps to reduce risks to a minimum.

 

Any school or staff member that thinks it is back to 'normal' is thinking the wrong way. As examples from the document on distancing:

 

 

• ...formal consideration of how to reduce contacts and maximise distancing between those in school wherever possible and minimise potential for contamination so far as is reasonably practicable
  
  

How contacts are reduced will depend on the school’s circumstances and will (as much as possible) include:

• grouping children together
  
  
• avoiding contact between groups
  
  
• arranging classrooms with forward facing desks
  
  
• staff maintaining distance from pupils and other staff as much as possible
  

a section in is own right under System controls, prevention:

 

5. Minimise contact between individuals and maintain social distancing wherever possible

I won't paste the whole section but the following is relevant to consider in relation to primary versus secondary

 

It is likely that for younger children the emphasis will be on separating groups, and for older children it will be on distancing. For children old enough, they should also be supported to maintain distance and not touch staff where possible.

 

There's a lot more in the document, but to summarise, whilst there may be no requirement for pupils to 'be apart' there is strong guidance to suggest this should be attempted where feasible. Personally, I like the block booking of the ICT suite, just hope you SLT give it proper consideration. At my sons school, they already had plans to do away with the ICT suite and move to laptops, but budgets probably prevent it. In the meantime, they are proceeding with a strict cleaning regime bwtween different bubbles using the room.

[smurfomatic]

Not sure if anyone else has come across this yet, but thought it was work asking!

 

It was dropped on me yesterday, while on site, that parents evenings will need to be "online" for at least the next term. As an guide, our year group parents evenings normally have up to 20 staff, and around 40-50 families with five minute slots. Currently we use our MIS to book slots, but I can't see that working for a Google Meet call as we'd have to send all the links out manually.

 

Also an added hassle of trying to work out how you tell Mrs smith to hang up as her five minutes is up, and then connect with Mr Jones afterwards without him interrupting the current "meeting".

 

Has anyone thought of this, and come up with a solution?

[sonofsanta]

Not sure if anyone else has come across this yet, but thought it was work asking!

 

It was dropped on me yesterday, while on site, that parents evenings will need to be "online" for at least the next term. As an guide, our year group parents evenings normally have up to 20 staff, and around 40-50 families with five minute slots. Currently we use our MIS to book slots, but I can't see that working for a Google Meet call as we'd have to send all the links out manually.

 

Also an added hassle of trying to work out how you tell Mrs smith to hang up as her five minutes is up, and then connect with Mr Jones afterwards without him interrupting the current "meeting".

 

Has anyone thought of this, and come up with a solution?

 

 

We were going to book appointments as normal, and then tell parents to use their kid's Teams account and hang around online about the right time; then the teacher will invite them into the video meeting when they're ready for them. Pertinently, Microsoft have just updated Teams to allow the meeting setting to be "everyone has to wait in the lobby", where before you couldn't stop members of your org diving straight in; that's only an issue if you hold the meeting in a Team everyone has access to, though, so probably the better approach will be telling staff to make a new Team with only them in, then invite people in as needed (you can invite people who aren't in the team)

 

On hitting time limits: if you're the organiser of the meeting (i.e. you initiated the call), you can forcibly disconnect people. Bit rude, but a useful last ditch measure

Edited August 19, 2020 by sonofsanta

[smurfomatic]

We were going to book appointments as normal, and then tell parents to use their kid's Teams account and hang around online about the right time; then the teacher will invite them into the video meeting when they're ready for them. Pertinently, Microsoft have just updated Teams to allow the meeting setting to be "everyone has to wait in the lobby", where before you couldn't stop members of your org diving straight in; that's only an issue if you hold the meeting in a Team everyone has access to, though, so probably the better approach will be telling staff to make a new Team with only them in, then invite people in as needed (you can invite people who aren't in the team)

 

On hitting time limits: if you're the organiser of the meeting (i.e. you initiated the call), you can forcibly disconnect people. Bit rude, but a useful last ditch measure

 

Thanks - that could work, but no "lobby" feature in Google Meet (as far as I can see) - however we do have to inidividually approve non-domain users into a Meet, so could use that feature instead.

[6Foot2]

Link: Get more out of Google Meet with these tips [blog.Google]

 

From tiled layout to starting a meeting directly from Gmail, learn about new ways to get more out of Google Meet.

[fiza]

No mention of a 'Lobby' feature that I can see unless I missed that bit. Shame as it would be useful.

[DrCheese]

Not sure if anyone else has come across this yet, but thought it was work asking!

 

It was dropped on me yesterday, while on site, that parents evenings will need to be "online" for at least the next term. As an guide, our year group parents evenings normally have up to 20 staff, and around 40-50 families with five minute slots. Currently we use our MIS to book slots, but I can't see that working for a Google Meet call as we'd have to send all the links out manually.

 

Also an added hassle of trying to work out how you tell Mrs smith to hang up as her five minutes is up, and then connect with Mr Jones afterwards without him interrupting the current "meeting".

 

Has anyone thought of this, and come up with a solution?

 

We have SchoolCloud's parents evening system already & they've added video calling - Hoping to use this

 

https://www.parentseveningsystem.co.uk/features-video-meetings.asp

 

Lets parents book meetings online & also lets you set a max time the meeting can run on for.

[smurfomatic]

We have SchoolCloud's parents evening system already & they've added video calling - Hoping to use this

 

https://www.parentseveningsystem.co.uk/features-video-meetings.asp

 

Lets parents book meetings online & also lets you set a max time the meeting can run on for.

 

That looks great, thanks - we used a similar sysem before our MIS added the parents evening module. Will see if I can persuade someone to pay for it...

[fiza]

If a Schools SLT decide that masks are to be mandatory whilst moving around the school for students and staff should the school provide Staff with masks? As IT Support we move around the school quite a bit and would constantly be putting masks on and taking them off when back in the office.

[smurfomatic]

If a Schools SLT decide that masks are to be mandatory whilst moving around the school for students and staff should the school provide Staff with masks? As IT Support we move around the school quite a bit and would constantly be putting masks on and taking them off when back in the office.

 

Any compulsory PPE should be provided by your employer, or refunded if you buy it yourself. PPE at Work Regulation 1992:

 

Every employer shall ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided to his employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work except where and to the extent that such risk has been adequately controlled by other means which are equally or more effective.

 

Section 9 of Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 says they can't charge you for it if you only use it at work.

 

https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/ppe.htm

[TMBS]

Hi

 

Can I ask how everyone are using their IT suites? We started in September with only allowing Computing classes, to minimise shared devices and student movement around school. No other departments could book them out.

 

Other departments are now starting to moan and ‘need’ to use computers. I’m arguing against it but SLT are sneaking them in with timetabled changes. The teachers whose classrooms are the IT rooms are not happy and neither am I.

 

Would be interesting to see what everyone else is doing?

 

Thanks

[chris11256]

Hi

 

Can I ask how everyone are using their IT suites? We started in September with only allowing Computing classes, to minimise shared devices and student movement around school. No other departments could book them out.

 

Other departments are now starting to moan and ‘need’ to use computers. I’m arguing against it but SLT are sneaking them in with timetabled changes. The teachers whose classrooms are the IT rooms are not happy and neither am I.

 

Would be interesting to see what everyone else is doing?

 

Thanks

 

Ours is open as normal and bookable by any teacher. Although the teacher concerned is then responsible for cleaning keyboards/mice & desks before and after the lesson.

[MrBitey]

We are a primary school so it's easier to manage. We have three bubbles that visit the suite. Y2, Y3/4 and Y5/6. Each bubble has specific days they are allowed to use the suite. I disinfect the desks, mice and keyboards between each lesson. Their lessons are a bit shorter than before but it's working well so far.

[sonofsanta]

We have just enough full-size computer suites to cover KS3 & 4 with one room for each year group, then a handful of half-size rooms for KS5 to use. That's barely working though because (a) there's no flexibility; if two Yr11 classes want a room, tough poopoo (b) the room is often timetabled for a lesson, though teachers can arrange with each other to swap if its only being used as a classroom and not a computer room.

 

We're sometimes having to "top up" a class with loaned laptops when they can get in a half-size room, and sometimes teachers are having to be timetabled outside the bubble, though they're then responsible for disinfecting etc. at start and end.

 

Not really a good answer to this one, I don't think :/

[6Foot2]

Link: Christmas guidance set out for university students  [gov.uk]

 

The Government has published guidance for students to travel home at the end of the term while controlling Covid-19 transmission risk.

 

University students will be able to travel home to spend Christmas with their families once the national restrictions end on 2 December, following steps set out in new Government guidance published today.

 

In order to travel home safely, students in England will be required to follow the current national restrictions in place until 2 December, completing this four-week period in their term-time accommodation. 

 

From 3 December to 9 December, which will be known as the ‘student travel window’, students will be allowed to travel home on staggered departure dates set by universities, who will work with other institutions in the region to manage pressure on transport infrastructure.

 

The student travel window will mean students can travel having just completed the four-week period of national restrictions, reducing the risk of transmission to family and friends at home.

 

Universities should move learning online by 9 December so students can continue their education while also having the option to return home to study from there...

[elsiegee40]

Not free, but Sir Linkalot spelling app is highly recommended by my neighbour

 

https://www.sirlinkalot.org/

 

Lexicographer Susie Dent has something to do with it

[6Foot2]

I looked for this to see if it had been posted already. I couldn't find it, so here it is:

 

Link: Increasing data allowances on mobile devices to support disadvantaged children [Gov.uk]

 

This scheme temporarily increases data allowances for mobile phone users on certain networks. This is so that children and young people can access remote education if their face-to-face education is disrupted.

 

Who can get help

 

Schools, trusts and local authorities can request mobile data increases for children and young people who:

 

• do not have fixed broadband at home
  
• cannot afford additional data for their devices
  
• are experiencing disruption to their face-to-face education

Children with access to a mobile phone on one of the following networks might be able to benefit:

 

• Three
  
• Smarty
  
• Virgin Mobile
  
• EE
  
• Tesco Mobile
  
• Sky Mobile

Other providers may join the scheme at a later stage.

 

When help is available

 

Schools, trusts and local authorities can request mobile data increases when schools report a closure or have pupils self-isolating.

 

They can also make requests for children who cannot attend school face-to-face because:

 

• they’re clinically extremely vulnerable
  
• restrictions prevent them from going to school

How to request a mobile data increase

 

For each request, we need to know:

 

• the name of the account holder
  
• the number of the mobile device
  
• the mobile network of that device (for example Three)

There’s an online guide to help gather mobile information.

 

Schools, trusts and local authorities need to submit mobile information through our online service. Each provider will vary in how quickly they process requests.

 

Once a network provider has processed a data increase, they’ll send a text message to the account holder. It’s also possible to check the status of requests through the online service.

 

Another option for increasing internet access

 

If increasing mobile data isn’t a suitable option for some children, schools can also request 4G wireless routers. Find out more about choosing help with internet access.

 

If you have questions

 

If you have any questions, email [email protected] using the subject line ‘Increasing data allowances’.

[6Foot2]

Link:

[uCAS Video Tweet]

 

Following recent announcements, UCAS has made the decision to extend the equal consideration deadline for all applicants.

 

The new deadline is now Friday 29 January at 18:00 (UK time)

 

Click the link above for the video.

[6Foot2]

Link:

[National Geographic YouTube Playlist: 9 Videos]

 

 

The highest mountains on Earth are home to snow leopards, golden eagles, mountain goats, barnacle goslings and gelada monkeys. But only the toughest can endure the extreme weather, scarce food and limited oxygen on these peaks. Using new technology to showcase never-before-filmed animal behavior, Hostile Planet provides unique access to one of the most extreme environments on the planet.

 

Runtime: 47 minutes 22 seconds.

[Disease]

Anybody know what the Data allowances were on the Hauwei dongles provided by the DfE and if you can increase them

 

EDIT:

 

Just received an email from the DfE they have extended the contract on the dongles to the end of July!!! Does not bode well for students returning anytime soon, the data is reset on the first of each month to 20GB.

Edited January 26, 2021 by Disease

[howartp]

From DfE this morning:

 

Dear colleague,

 

We’ve extended the contract for all SIM cards included with 4G wireless routers to continue our support for disadvantaged children who are remote learning during the coronavirus pandemic. These SIM cards will now remain active until the end of July 2021.

 

If you’re communicating this information to the families who have received these devices, you may also wish to remind them that:

 

their router has a 20GB per month data limit that renews at the start of each month

data connections should be used primarily for education and social care services

they can reduce the amount of data they use by choosing ‘Standard Definition’ (SD) when watching videos online or making video calls

Setting up and managing 4G routers

We’re aware that some of the routers that have been distributed have not yet been used.

 

We’ve recently updated our guidance on how to set up a 4G router, which you may wish to print and send to any families who still require access to the internet.

https://get-help-with-tech.education.gov.uk/devices/4g-user-guidance

 

If you identify children and young people who do not need the routers that they have been allocated, you can offer them to others who may have greater need.

 

If users report difficulties in connecting their router to the internet, there are a few options to try before you report a fault. Please ask the user to check if:

 

another device (such as a smartphone) has a connection to see if there are issues in the local area

the SIM card has been removed – if it has, ask them to put it back into the router and try to connect again

the laptop or tablet they’re using can connect to the internet another way, for example by using free wifi or tethering it to a mobile phone

they can clear the cache on the web browser they’re using, then try to connect again

Technical support is available should the above steps not solve the issue.

https://get-help-with-tech.education.gov.uk/devices/4g-user-guidance#technical-support

 

Regards,

 

Get help with technology team

[6Foot2]

This seems like it has the potential to be useful (may require further evaluation)

 

Link: COVID-19 Indoor Safety Guideline

 

To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, official public health guidelines have recommended limits on: person-to-person distance (6 feet / 2 meters), occupancy time (15 minutes), maximum occupancy (25 people), or minimum ventilation (6 air changes per hour).

 

There is growing scientific evidence for airborne transmission of COVID-19, which occurs when infectious aerosol droplets are exchanged by breathing shared indoor air. While public health organizations are beginning to acknowledge airborne transmission, they have yet to provide a safety guideline that incorporates all the relevant variables.

 

This app, developed by Kasim Khan in collaboration with Martin Z. Bazant and John W. M. Bush, uses a theoretical model to calculate safe exposure times and occupancy levels for indoor spaces. By adjusting room specifications, ventilation and filtration rates, face-mask usage, respiratory activities, and risk tolerance (in the other tabs), you can see how to mitigate indoor COVID-19 transmission in different indoor spaces.

 

In Basic mode, you can calculate the limits on safe occupancy following the entrance of a single infected person into an indoor space. In Advanced Mode, you can take into account additional factors, including infection prevalence and population immunity. Advanced Mode also allows you to assess safe occupancy based on average CO2 concentration, which is related to the concentration of infectious aerosols.

 

The science behind the app is also taught in a free, self-paced massive, open online course (MOOC) on edX: 10.S95x Physics of COVID-19 Transmission