Occupation: Director of Operations
Company: Conscious Youth
Location: West Yorkshire
About business: Conscious Youth challenges inequalities by creating opportunities for young people to influence change and make a positive difference in their communities.
About expert: Sophie is on an advisory board for digital inclusion for Kirklees Council which is focused on bringing everyone up to the same speed, including those from disadvantaged areas or people who struggle with IT.
1. What’s the biggest benefit of online learning vs a traditional classroom setting?
Studying online will help you gain a sense of responsibility. It requires self-motivation and time-management skills as you will spend a lot of time on your own without someone physically close to keep you focused on deadlines.
2. Should schools and the government pilot a hybrid / remote learning model to allow children to be homeschooled?
Yes. It has been shown that students who partake in online learning performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction, but it has to be done right.
3. How do you think remote schooling could work best / be managed?
It must allow students to go at their own pace, in their own time, and be set up to think critically about the subject matter. It must also include situations where students can go online at the same time and interact with other students, their teacher and content.
4. How do you think digital learning will change the future of education?
I believe that online learning is the future. It allows you not to be confined to one physical building or a set of teachers. You can simply click a button and you have a whole wealth of knowledge. If I ever have a problem or don’t understand something, I simply click on YouTube. Also, I truly believe this type of learning is more inclusive as you will not be judged.
5. How can the government help improve digital learning?
The government needs to work with educational institutions to address the digital learning divide. The government has to actively collaborate and learn from teachers and students by using their recent experiences to inform future policy and curriculum development. The curriculum needs to evolve in order to provide learners with the skills they need to not only be digitally fluent but also be able to adapt to whatever is next thrown at us. The pandemic has shown us this.
6. What advice would you give to your younger self while at school?
Ask questions, even if they sound stupid. Remember knowledge is power. Also, stop and smell the roses. Life always goes too fast, so slow down and be present.
7. What was your biggest struggle in school, and how did you overcome it?
I loved school. I had lots of friends, loved learning and had confidence. However, I know it’s not like this for everyone so perhaps children can look into guest speakers and through their struggles.
