Online Education

Online Education & Distance Learning Protocol & Guidance 

1.1 Purpose

This guidance sets out the provision of Online Education and Distance Learning for Conductive Music workshop participants, and the circumstances in which this will be delivered.

Conductive Music delivers individual, small group, whole class lessons in and out of schools. Funded by Arts Council England (ACE), Local Authorities (LA), Trusts and Foundation. In the context of this guidance learning applies to:

  • Lessons or workshops which would ordinarily be undertaken in a school of college environment where students are not able to meet with teachers or other students in person
  • Group workshops and follow-up lessons where the group is not able to meet in person

This guidance seeks to:

  • Ensure a high-quality learning experience for Online Education/Distance Learning students;
  • Make clear the responsibilities of all parties involved and the delivery of the lessons; and
  • Safeguard all parties involved (this is in addition to Conductive Music’s Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults policy)

 

  1. Protocol & Guidance

 2.1 Safeguarding

Location of online lessons
The location in which both students and teachers take part in the online lesson should be in an appropriate room (not in a bedroom for example), and within earshot of a parent or carer. This will ensure the student can raise any concerns, whether practical or related to safeguarding.

Whilst space in houses may be limited, and may be shared with others, the Conducitve Music teacher will work with the parents to make sure that whatever space is available to use is neutral, safe, conducive to learning, doesn’t reveal any personal information, and doesn’t present a safeguarding risk.

The student’s camera and microphone will be disabled by default and chat activity can only be directed to the Conductive Music teacher (host).

In order to prevent inappropriate content being shown to others via the webcam, the background shown should ideally be neutral, and not create a risk of offensive or age-inappropriate content being displayed. For example, there shouldn’t be a TV or screen switched on, or posters that may cause offence.

Conductive Music teachers have received sufficient training to be enable them to lead by example, including being aware of making the background visible in their online teaching professional and neutral.

Teaching space should not reveal any details about the teacher’s personal life. Care should be taken to remove anything that would not be appropriate in a face-to-face lesson either, for example, personal items, laundry drying, or anything that may distract students.

Teachers should check with the student at the start of the lesson if they feel comfortable in the environment and advise that they can stop at any time.

Professional Behaviour and Dress
As lessons will happen in an informal home environment, it is important that both teachers and students follow the same behaviour as they would in a school environment. This will help minimise any safeguarding risks, and thus advice to staff, parents and students includes:

  • Having a parent or carer within earshot of the student taking part in the online lesson
  • Appropriate dress, both staff and students should wear clothing that would normally be worn in public
  • Following the teacher’s instructions as students would ordinarily in the classroom environment
  • Asking the teacher before leaving the session (e.g. for comfort breaks).
  • Not taking phone calls, messaging others, or using devices that aren’t requested by the teacher for learning
  • Not having other browsers or apps open during the online lesson to reduce the risk of inappropriate content being displayed

Record Keeping
Our online lessons will be recorded and the footage will be kept for up to 30 days, as proof for any disputes which may arise after the sessions. Teachers record the lessons delivered on an app and management and support staff can view that the lesson has been delivered. The recording will include the video and audio feed of the Conductive Music teacher, and a full transcript of the chat.

Reporting of concerns by a Child
A parent/carer or responsible adult should be within earshot of the child during the online lesson. Students will be told that if they have any concerns before, during, or after a lesson they should ask the parent/carer for help. This could include for example:

  • Technical issues with the computer or internet connection
  • Practical issues, such as arranging the appropriate space to follow the lesson
  • Other issues, such as not being comfortable with what is happening in a lesson
  • Problems with the instrument
  • Allowing additional time to set up the technology

Mechanisms to Identify, Intervene, and Escalate Any Incident
Conductive Music’s Online Education and Distance Learning safeguarding follows the same reporting process as with face-to-face lessons. Any concerns can be addressed to Conductive Music’s Designated Safeguarding Leads.

 

2.2 Communication & Data Protection

Our Online Education and Distance Learning programmes will be delivered through the Zoom technology that is free and accessible to all of our students. Zoom lessons will be arranged by the Conductive Music teacher, in collaboration with the relevant Music Education Hub, when necessary.

As part of this offer there are a number of principles in place to support safe learning programmes, these are outlined below.

Screen sharing and file sharing
Zoom allows teachers to show their full screen or a chosen window, including teaching resources or websites – students will not be allowed to do so. Teachers need to make sure they don’t inadvertently display:

  • Personal information – e.g., having a social media website open, which may reveal personal information
  • Inappropriate content – e.g., photos, text, apps or websites that may display content unsuitable for children

For this reason, teachers should have a “clean” screen and desktop, and turn off any apps that may interrupt the session (such as alarms, alerts, or incoming Skype calls).

File sharing is not available within Zoom, but we will upload handouts, lesson plans or other digital resources on our Google Drive and make them freely downloadable to all the workshop subscribers.

 

Data and access to data using Zoom
Zoom is a secure online platform. As with other online learning platforms used by schools, nobody external to Conductive Music will have access to video streams, passwords, or any data related to online lessons.

Students are instructed not to take screenshots or make video recordings of online sessions. Any training materials used for lessons can be shared by the teacher in advance via the music service secure email.

 

GDPR – Children’s personal information
Conductive Music will not collect any information about students’ personal IDs or logons. Unlike other systems (such as Skype, Facetime, or Messenger) Zoom works by sending a password protected invitation link to the parent or carer’s email address. All invitations will be password protected.

Students are asked not to share any personal contact information with teachers or other students (such as social media names or phone numbers). If there are any issues with students doing this, the teacher will remove the student from the online session and contact the parent/carer to discuss how to stay safe online.

 

2.3 Quality Assurance

Conductive Music is committed to ensuring that our online lessons are a high-quality experience for our learners in both face to face and the online environment.

At the heart of our provision we

  • Ensure our GDPR policy conforms to national guidelines.
  • Ensure our teachers have undergone the relevant safeguarding training.
  • Ensure teachers plan for structured, progressive lessons that challenge and encourage learners
  • Ensure that pupil progress is monitored and reported to parents.

 As an ACE-funded programme, our services operate within the ACE Quality Principles framework.

 

2.4 Parental involvement and Expectations

Having the support of a parent/carer in setting up the lesson is often needed as the invitations will be sent to a parent/carer email addresses. We ask that parents/carers are within earshot as this is important for safety as well as for practical help. Parents/carers are expected to be present at the start and finish of lessons wherever possible.

The level of involvement of the adult during the lesson will depend on the age of the student. Younger children may need a person in the room to help keep them focused and safe, particularly if it is a new activity. But too much parental involvement can also be distracting or cause shyness with older students. In general, it is recommended that after the first few lessons, the parent/carer is within earshot but not “in the lesson” wherever possible.

Parental Consent for online tuition
Parents or carers wishing to undertake the Online Education or Distance Learning programmes should subscribe to the advertisement information sent out via Conductive Music mailing campaigns, Social Media channels or via the campaigns produced by our partner Music Education Hubs across the country.