Covid closures: how teachers adapted to working remotely

During the first lockdown, teachers had to pull remote learning solutions out of a hat, says Mark Enser. But, while it’s clear that no amount of digital wizardry can replicate the magic of the classroom, tools such as Zoom have transformed the way we think about pedagogy for good.

I had a head start on remote learning. In early spring 2020, I was having to self-isolate after developing a cough and a high temperature. With no testing facilities, there was nothing to do but stay away from school and set work remotely. In a way, this was a blessing; it meant I had a chance to get to grips with a pattern of working that was going to become the norm for tens of thousands of teachers over the coming months.