Our approach to online education
For most schools around the world, teaching and learning takes place in traditional classrooms. But increasingly, educators are beginning to explore options for delivering the curriculum online- particularly due to the Covid pandemic.
For some, this means a blended or hybrid model including some online and some face-to-face teaching. Other providers offer a completely online approach that suits learners who can’t attend school in person for medical or practical reasons.
We believe that effective online learning is as valuable as traditional contexts. We are committed to supporting online schools to develop in line with our standards , and providing them with everything they need to deliver excellent teaching and learning to meet learners’ needs.
What are the benefits of online education?
Online education will work best for some learners, while others will prefer a blended or completely face to face approach.
There are many benefits to an online education:
- Flexible locations – learners can study wherever they are, even if they move to a different city or country.
- More individual support to meet learning needs – online classes tend to be smaller with more opportunities for one-to-one support. from a tutor, and can be more targeted to learners’ particular learning styles and needs.
- Access to a Cambridge education – learners can access our curriculum even if there isn’t a Cambridge school nearby, or if they move locations regularly. Although learners at Cambridge Upper Secondary and Advanced stages will need to attend a registered Cambridge International venue to sit their exams.
- Medical and wellbeing support – online learning is a great option for learners who can’t attend school for medical or wellbeing reasons.
- Wider curriculum offer – online schools can offer subjects that may not be available in a local school.
Find out more about how we work with online providers, and how your school can register to work with us online.
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Our expectations for online teaching and learning
While some strategies might change, we expect teachers and school leaders at online schools to aspire to the same teaching and learning standards as in the classroom.
Successful teaching and learning in a Cambridge online school should provide opportunities for active learning, and both collaborative and individual work. It should also cater for individual learner needs, use formative assessment to help learners progress, and prioritise student wellbeing.
At the start of the pandemic, we published guidance around using online tools to support remote teaching and learning. We believe these apply to online learning in all contexts:
- The focus should be on pedagogy and learning, rather than technology.
- All online tools still require the skill, experience and expertise of a teacher.
- They may involve approaches and techniques that you would not normally use.
- The tools you choose should be in line with any school eSafety policy.