Virtual Classrooms: Rachel Van der Westhuizen on Modern Education Challenges
So going forward teams is definitely an educational program too, but it won't replace our Winter schools or extra lessons.
Imagine trying to keep a classroom engaged when your students are scattered across different homes, each with their own distractions. That's the reality Rachel Van der Westhuizen faces as Head of High School and CAT Examiner at Curro Serengeti Independent School. In this episode of 'Having A Cuppa with Chris Nell', Rachel opens up about the pros and cons of virtual learning, an approach they had to adopt during the hard lockdown.
She dives into the nitty-gritty of home-based studies, the dynamics of teacher-student interactions online, and the trials of conducting exams through a screen. Rachel doesn’t sugarcoat the difficulties - from the lack of physical presence to the extra motivation needed for both students and teachers. But she also shines a light on the silver linings, like how technology has enabled them to reach students in remote areas, offering a glimpse of hope amidst the pandemic's chaos.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolving landscape of education, especially in these challenging times.