Transforming education globally: Richard Human’s journey with LessonUp
Thomas Courtley
Teaching & Learning Lead
From teaching children in war zones to coaching educators in Malawi, Richard Human's journey illustrates the transformative power of innovative tools like LessonUp in global education. With 25 years of teaching experience, he now combines his passion for education with international coaching and online learning, making a profound impact on students and teachers worldwide.
Online teaching for children coming from war zones
In different areas of Ukraine, or in their new country of residence, children who have fled their homes are finding some normalcy in online schooling. Richard Human teaches geography lessons in English to Ukrainian students through an amazing educational organisation called Svitlo School.
He uses LessonUp to bring lessons to life, creating an interactive learning experience that engages students despite the challenges they face.
Using LessonUp to engage children affected by war
Teaching in a classroom is one thing, but online teaching with students who come from war zones brings a unique set of challenges, particularly when it comes to inclusion.
"I noticed that some students, especially those with limited English, tended to sit quietly, unsure how to join in," Richard explains. "LessonUp's interactive tools—quizzes, polls, and other features—gave these students a way to participate at their own comfort level without the pressure of speaking up in front of the class. It was a breakthrough in creating a supportive, inclusive environment where every student could engage."
Richard recalls one poignant moment when a quiet student, who had barely participated in past lessons, finally found her voice. "After we used an interactive poll, I saw her response appear on the screen. It wasn’t much, just a simple answer, but it was the first time she’d contributed to a lesson. That moment was a small victory but a big step forward for her self-esteem!"
Coaching teacher trainers in Malawi: overcoming challenges with technology
In Malawi, where Richard coaches teacher trainers, the challenges are significant. Infrastructure issues like power cuts and an unreliable internet connection can make teaching difficult, almost impossible. Despite these obstacles, Richard uses LessonUp to coach these trainers.
Working with teacher trainers in Malawi
"Even when they only have access through their phones or basic laptops, we use LessonUp for training. I help them with time management techniques and coaching, incorporating interactive features to keep them engaged."
Richard’s LessonUp experience in Malawi
"These trainers are passionate about what they do, but the scale of the challenges they face is overwhelming. If I were in their shoes, I’d find it difficult to stay motivated. Yet they show up, week after week, eager to learn and improve," Richard says. "LessonUp helps me support them in a way that feels personal and effective, despite the distance and the difficulties they face. By using polls and interactive activities, I’ve been able to gauge their feelings, get feedback, and adjust to their needs."
Learn more about how Richard uses LessonUp’s interactive features:
Quiz questions
Richard uses quizzes to actively involve students, especially those who might be shy or struggling with language barriers.
Polls
Polls are utilised to gauge thoughts and feelings, enabling Richard to adjust his teaching based on real-time feedback.
Open questions & mind maps
Richard uses these questions to engage students and gather their thoughts—creating a more interactive environment.
The Role of AI in education: Richard’s CPD journey
When AI became a hot topic in education, Richard decided to dive deep into understanding its potential. This curiosity led him to create professional development sessions on AI for teachers, where he used LessonUp to help them navigate and understand the world of AI in education.
Starting the conversation about AI
"At first, I didn’t know much about AI either, but I decided to learn. Now, I start my CPD sessions by asking teachers, ‘How many of you have used AI?’ and the answers are always a split. Then I ask, ‘How many of you use Netflix? Spotify? Or shop online?’ Almost everyone raises their hand, and I use LessonUp's poll feature to display the results in a graph, helping teachers realise how AI is already integrated into their lives."
Engaging teachers with interactive learning
"I use LessonUp’s polls, open questions, and mind maps to encourage teachers to think critically about how AI can support their teaching. It’s not about replacing teachers; it’s about showing how solutions like AI language models or LessonUp's Maia can support educators and students in meaningful ways."
