Maximising retention of learning during lockdown

Assessment and feedback are what makes teachers worth so much more than text books. The harder a learner is to teach, the more we rely on assessment and feedback to help us out. Unfortunately, some learners are also more likely to have poorer capability to undertake effective distance learning than their peers.

Some learners will have multiple advantages: two or more adults at home who are able to multi-task work and supervision of learning, who will remove distractions from the learner, will be able to give help if needed, and will regularly give encouragement and praise.

Some learners will have many disadvantages: no-one to supervise, perhaps they must supervise their siblings or care for other family members, perhaps they are witnessing or experiencing violence or neglect, perhaps their family cannot afford food, let alone a data top-up, perhaps their efforts will be belittled or ignored, perhaps they have no space to work…