THE COVID MONTHS | BLENDED LEARNING

As we continue to navigate how to train our students  in the midst of a pandemic we are moving into a new phase at Northern Guild. Teaching students in-person is, we know, the best way to do things.. When this was pulled from our grasp by C-19 we moved all our teaching overnight to Zoom . It was a cataclysmic and terrifying moment. We had to get to grips with something we had never done before and a fair few technophobes amongst us were outed, myself included. But bit by bit we started to make friends with Zoom and in the end we had mercifully few catastrophic moments. But when they did happen the WhatsApp Hot Line would kick in and help was always there for the asking. Zoom gradually became familiar and we adapted to its demand for obedience to its idiosyncrasies and  its rules of engagement. Only one person must speak at a time. If your tutor closes your breakout room you come flying back through digital space whether or not you want to, and so on.

Now we are on the move again. Its not the time yet to return to the training room without an alternative in place for those who must self-isolate or have compromised immunity. And so a middle way has been created. We are introducing Blended Learning so that students who are able to do so can return to their training rooms and their friends, whilst for those for whom that moment has not arrived yet Zoom is still there. It is a complex mix and not easy for students or tutors to navigate. Our new year one adult evening course students and their tutor share their experience of blended teaching sessions.

Rebecca Reed

REBECCA REED shares her impressions of in-person sessions

My experience of blended learning has so far felt really positive. It’s clear that a great deal of thought has been put into making the experience run smoothly and feel as inclusive as possible. The meeting owl isn’t something I’ve come across before but I think it’s working very well to help ensure the people joining us via zoom feel included.  Like all firsts it’s taking a little bit of getting used to but everyone has been patient and cooperative.  

During our second blended learning session we attempted the skills practice in ‘hybrid’ groups using a laptop and tablet to speak to the people at home. After a few teething problems we managed to get things going and preceded with the skills practice. It felt a little strange at first to observe the people at home, as body language and paraverbal skills aren’t as easy to pick up on a screen.  However, I think everyone agreed that it was great to get to know the other people in our group a bit better and the practise felt valuable, despite the circumstances. We also acknowledged that it made sense to get used to counselling clients in this way, as we’re still a way off from things returning to normal.

All in all I think the blended learning approach is working well. After everything we’ve been through it feels like everyone is eager to connect and make the best out of the situation we all face.  I certainly feel grateful to be able to attend the sessions in person and am keen to do what I can to ensure we’re able to communicate and continue working together in this way.

Kim Tserkezie

KIM TSERKEZIE shares her experience of being on Zoom

The plan was for us to begin our psychotherapeutic counselling course online. I felt relieved, for as a disabled person advised to shield during Covid19, I wasn’t ready. I didn’t feel safe yet to spend time in a room full of unmasked fellow trainees.

I thoroughly enjoyed our introductory class via Zoom. I could see and hear everyone well and although a virtual space wasn’t the ideal, here we were, all of us, together, making the best of it. So, it came as a surprise to hear that we could move to blended learning. We now had the choice to participate in class online or attend in person, but it really didn’t feel like a choice for me, not without risking my health. Panic crept in. What if it was just me who wanted to stay on virtually?

It wasn’t just me. Six of us joined online, whilst the majority attended in person. Moving forward, I suspect some technical adjustments could help remedy this, but I was able to see and hear my tutor well on screen, but not the rest of the class as a group. I could hear them only when one person spoke at a time, and they weren’t very visible. What I could see clearly though was a bunch of my course mates in a room together - without me - and I didn’t like it. I felt deflated and segregated. Would this situation now inevitably turn into ‘them and us’? 

This feeling overwhelmed me in the first half hour. I found myself drifting, trying to make sense of this new set up and my insecurities, rather than concentrating on my learning.

But as time went on, I found myself settling in, accepting this was a new situation and needing to give it a chance. It became easier and when we moved into smaller group work, I felt even more relaxed, connecting further. It also helped that, as a whole course group, we were able to acknowledge that this situation was challenging for us and others in different ways, so I felt the support of my tutor and all of my peers was there. We were still in this together.

I came away feeling so grateful that this blended facility was offered. Each and every one of us had been given the chance to learn in the environment that most accommodated our own needs.

Upon further reflection, I’ve gone from being daunted and disappointed about utilising the virtual side of blended learning, to excited about what this means for inclusion in counselling for both client and therapist. Is ‘in person’ always best for everyone? How can technology help us reach people who find ‘in person’ counselling very difficult? How can we become more skilled at counselling on virtual platforms? By being flexible and by challenging ourselves to step outside of what is typically done, we have an opportunity to learn how to make therapy more inclusive.

Glenda McIntosh

GLENDA MCINTOSH talks about her joy at being back in the training room with students and the challenges of teaching through blended approaches

Thoughts of technology and the dynamics of a blended group had preoccupied me, leaving no time to consider what it would be like to sit in a room with students again. With the door and window open, training materials prepared, chairs positioned and a conspicuous appliance shaped like an owl in front of me, I was ready. Then, as the group began to arrive, feelings of concern for the practicalities were replaced with an instantaneous flood of mixed emotions. Great joy at seeing people in person and the prospect of feeling the energy of a full room, sadness at the reality of how much has been lost and that we weren’t a whole group together alongside the anxiety of staying safe in proximity to each other. I took a moment to share my thoughts and feelings with the group and we all paused to reflect on the conflicting feelings many of us were experiencing. We talked about how we might manage this new way of being together and shared some suggestions, recognising that as a new experience this might pose some challenges as well as opportunities.

The “meeting owl”, a combined microphone, speaker and camera used specifically for mixed in person and online meetings, is new to me and I was keen to experiment with the functionality. The camera is designed to be noise activated and move to whoever is speaking and we tested that in the room when talking. It works best the closer the person is to it but the microphone picked up people at the back of the room well enough. We realised it helped to say our names before speaking so our colleagues online knew who it was. Overall it worked well and wasn’t intrusive although we all agree that having our online colleagues feel involved remains a challenge.

I reflect on the evening with a sense of acceptance and pride. Blended learning isn’t perfect but it is a good enough compromise allowing us to accommodate the circumstances and wellbeing of each student. This group took up the challenge to pilot a blended approach and their patience, curiosity, honesty and positivity fills me with optimism and pride. Once again, in the face of adversity, human spirit abounds.