Learning Happens Beyond the Classroom

It takes a village to raise a child.” It’s highly likely you have heard this African proverb before, but that’s testament to how relevant it remains. The reason it is often quoted is because it is true.

Physical connection is incredibly important. One of the things that has stood out for me during this period of online learning is how incredibly important being around people is.

Remote learning and teaching, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, has come with challenges. Something I personally found diffi cult teaching online was not being able to pick up on the nuances one would normally see in a classroom, such as a student with a perplexed look if they didn’t understand the content. From my computer screen I could see the students’ faces but it was harder to make that human connection. We can’t underestimate the incredible connection that happens when you’re engaged with other people in a school environment. The situation we have found ourselves in has made us more deeply consider that ‘other’ purpose of school – and when students are not there, it becomes glaringly obvious what is missing.

It is the village component of a school that leads to learning. Learning happens beyond the classroom. It happens while a student is sitting under a tree at recess, talking to the teacher who is on yard duty – all of these opportunities enhance the learnings they get in the classroom.

Just imagine if this situation went on for longer and we were in lockdown for the next ten years. What would it do to our humanity? What would it do to our capacity to understand social nuances? How would we deal with diffi culties if we aren’t in the space of engaging with other people? School environments are a great way to practise being an adult and to navigate the complexity that comes with the world. The purpose of schooling and the learning that has emerged from this situation is how incredibly important social interaction is and how vital it is to be connected.

There have of course been positives as well. One of the most common pieces of feedback I have heard is that students are getting a lot done. This is testament to the quality of content delivery.

Like in all times of signifi cant challenge, people rise to the occasion. Good things still happen. I want to extend my thanks to our community and to the work of staff , the Board and the Strategic Support Group for helping us navigate the challenges.

Simon Le Plastrier Principal ELTHAM College