Occupation: Director
Company: NRICH
Location: Cambridge
About business: NRICH is an innovative collaboration between the Faculties of Mathematics and Education at the University of Cambridge. It provides free online mathematics resources for ages 3 to 18.
About expert: Ems joined the team as Director in 2015. She is also a member of The All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Teaching Profession, past President of the Mathematics Association, a member of the Joint Mathematical Council and a Founding Fellow of the Chartered College of Teachers.
1. What’s the biggest benefit of online learning vs a traditional classroom setting?
Online learning, particularly for maths, can be very engaging and may increase parental engagement. It also enables learners access to a wider range of educators, role models and activities from across the world.
2. Should schools and the government pilot a hybrid / remote learning model to allow children to be homeschooled?
There is already a legal requirement for children who cannot attend school due to a long illness or injury to receive ongoing support. In fact, some local authorities run hospital schools or organise tutoring. This ensures that all children, irrespective of where they might live, can access such support which is essential. Online learning can help make this ambition a reality.
3. How do you think remote schooling could work best / be managed?
Not every child is suited to traditional schooling, so online learning clearly offers an opportunity for those who struggle to access an education they might not otherwise receive.
4. How do you think digital learning will change the future of education?
It’s likely that education will become increasingly automated in the coming years. Adults will be impacted as well as children and will have to adapt to rapid changes in order to make a meaningful contribution to their workplace.
5. How can the government help improve digital learning?
How education is viewed needs to be reconsidered. Otherwise, adults might get left behind in the tech revolution. Schools of the future may need to become learning hubs, welcoming all ages to learn together.
6. What advice would you give to your younger self while at school?
Life is full of twists and turns. Opportunities come at unexpected times, so embrace them as you never know where they might lead.
7. What was your biggest struggle in school, and how did you overcome it?
When I was younger I missed more lessons than I attended due to ill health, but a combination of a dedicated headteacher and a determined mum made sure that I kept up with my classmates and could rejoin my class when I was ready to do so. Overcoming the challenge was a team effort, and I could not have kept up by myself. However, we can all thrive if we can access the help and support we need.
