A SELF-confessed technophobic teacher who didn’t want to abandon her students has embraced technology to keep on teaching from home following school and college closures
For the past 21 years Kelly Hughes, of Barnard Castle, has helped hundreds of students attending Darlington College gain qualifications in mathematics. And she wasn’t prepared to stop teaching when the government ordered schools and colleges to close on Friday, March 21.
“When I learned the college was going to shut, I cried,” she said. “I thought there is no way I’m not working.”
So after setting up her laptop at her Churchill Road home, which she shares with husband David and daughters Amy and Jessica, she is continuing to teach her cohort of 18 students online.
Using a video conferencing tool, Google Classroom, students “dial” into the live video tutorials, can download the work and message and email questions to Mrs Hughes to ensure they keep up to date with their education.
She said: “Give me a piece of paper and a pen and a willing student next to me and I’m great.
“Technology-wise I usually leave that up to my kids to sort out for me, so it was a bit scary at first but it’s worked really, really well.
“I thought if I can do this, then anyone can. The most people I’ve had video linked in has been four, with other students messaging and emailing as they do the work.”
James Dalton, who a third year media student at Darlington College, said he is
delighted classes have continued with Mrs Hughes.
He added: “Online tutoring has helped me personally better than first anticipated. I am now able to work more than I would expect due to the unforeseen circumstances. We have to continue learning in this way but I think this is better for me personally and it will help me better myself in the future.
“I think it will also give me a better understanding of how teaching can be delivered as long as the student is willing to learn. This will help me on my own path to becoming a teacher.”
Mrs Hughes said: “I’m lucky I have really motivated students. I normally only work four days a week, but I have told my students they can contact me when they need me and if they have a question I’ll be there to answer it.”
She added: “It’s just adapting to the new normal at the moment. There are four of us at home fighting for broadband bandwidth in a relatively small house, but we are somehow making it work.
“We try to take breaks at separate times so there is not too much demand on the internet. I’m fortunate my kids love school and so are going to school at home.”
Mrs Hughes added eldest daughter Amy is also ensuring one of her friends further up the dale is able to access the online teaching packs, which have been provided by Teesdale School.
She said: “When Amy is working she props up her phone so her friend can see the laptop and they can work together. It’s worked really well and not only has it given Amy a study buddy it’s made her realise she’s not alone.
“My message is if I can do this then just about anyone can.”
