Datacable: helping Yorkshire schools develop online learning

With increasing degrees of lockdown sweeping across the UK, many fear that schools may once again be closed for short or extended periods, or be asked to move on to a blended learning format to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Now Datacable, based in Keighley, is offering a service to schools throughout the region, to help ensure that children continue to get the best possible education for the rest of 2020 and beyond.

Managing director John Martins said: “In the same way that professionals now use Zoom instead of going to the office, Google and Microsoft have developed a virtual school where teachers and pupils don’t need to leave the safety of their own homes.

“They are very powerful systems, and allow teachers to teach lessons online, interview individual pupils, stream all kinds of media, set and collect homework and keep track of progress. There’s a big library of resources for schools to use.”

Making it work

It seems unavoidable that all schools must sooner or later adapt to include remote learning as part of their strategy, and Mr Martins says the government is committed to this course and is providing financial incentives to make it happen.

He added: “There are difficulties, of course. It relies on all homes having good internet connections, and all pupils having suitable devices to work on.

“It relies on schools - many already punch-drunk from adjusting to several new crises a week - finding time to calmly plan, train for, and implement a whole new way of working.”

Google and Microsoft provide their very powerful services free. The Department for Education (DfE) will pay to install it in your school. They are subsidising devices like tablets for families that are experiencing hardship.

Many schools have already committed to the change and are already becoming adept at delivering the curriculum remotely. The Datacable boss says that children that those schools could end up streets ahead educationally.

How can Datacable help?

Datacable is a very experienced partner in implementing this change. The team understand the technology, but, more than that, they understand education, understand teachers and pupils and talk their language.

The firm provides the most comprehensive range of support for educational computing and communication in the Yorkshire area.

Datacable services are aimed at schools; they don’t sell any services to parents or pupils directly.

You can find us them through their website at www.datacable.co.uk and you can arrange to talk to their experienced and knowledgeable staff.