Highland calls the tune for online music tuition during the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis
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High Life Highland says its instructors appear to be leading the way for online music tuition in Scotland.
Many High Life Highland (HLH) music instructors were already using online methods and technology for teaching and supporting pupils prior to the onset of Covid-19 the charity said.
Since the lockdown started, instructors have developed and improved the approach by uploading additional materials and building upon their own skills in using the online tools.
Lessons are delivered in real time; by pupils emailing videos to instructors for comment and instruction; and via digital materials uploaded by instructors for use by pupils.
HLH chief executive Steve Walsh said: “We’re incredibly fortunate that, working with our partners in Highland Council, we had already developed the infrastructure to work in this way.
"Since the lockdown our instructors have put a great deal of work into uploading more material and honing their own skills in using the online tools to benefit our many pupils across the area.
“Our instructors are now really embracing the technology to engage with a growing number of pupils and it is so reassuring to hear that, after being in touch with colleagues elsewhere in Scotland, it would seem that they are well ahead of other parts of the country in delivering online music tuition in this way during this unprecedented period.
“Initial feedback from parents is positive, with many commenting on how much they appreciate the opportunity for their child to have a different way to learn from home. Some parents have also highlighted the positive effect for pupils of having social contact with their instructor and fellow pupils during this lockdown period.”
As part of the approach to music tuition online, HLH music instructors aim to maintain some group teaching using the technology available, meaning that pupils can keep in touch with others with whom they usually share lessons at school.
This allows an additional element of social contact to be included for school pupils who may otherwise find them socially isolated.
Staff have also been given clear guidelines about safeguarding pupils when working online, HLH said.
