Online Learning

Many students are transitioning to an online learning environment, even if it is just temporary. Concerns are natural. Parents may assume that their student’s performance will falter without face-to-face interaction and students may question their ability to learn on their own. Here are 12 ideas to make this change easier and increase your student’s productivity while they are, even temporarily, learning online.

*Parents, perhaps you are being asked to work from home for the first time. Take advantage of the opportunity. If you are successful, you may be able to negotiate with your employer for more freedom once this global health situation subsides.

EXPECTATIONS

Many students have learned to be accountable to someone other than themselves, someone who they know will check up on them. This is often built into an in-person classroom environment where a teacher can express approval (or disapproval), assignments are expected to be turned in, and group expressions of learning are performed (peer accountability).  

In an online environment, procrastination can lead to inefficiency and tank productivity. Help your student become self-accountable by setting clear completion goals for the day, broken down into blocks of time.

1. Set a specific start time.
2. Encourage your student to follow their usual morning routine, including getting dressed, eating breakfast, and mentally preparing for their day so they “arrive” ready to be productive.
3. Include a social time before work. Many of us are used to and enjoy the camaraderie of our peers before we commence with our individual activities. Set out the coffee and muffins! Gather at the kitchen table, share conversation, even for a few moments.
4. Block out the day into four segments – two before lunch and two after. Set expectations for completions within each of these segments. Use some sort of visual organizer to help your student record their completions … a to-do list with check boxes, for example.

ENVIRONMENT

Your student may feel less productive in a quieter environment simply because they have grown used to the distractions of a classroom environment. Many of us have a shorter attention span than we realize. It is natural to “feel bored” as the minutes tick by without any interruptions. Your student may have to learn to stretch their attention span or become comfortable with their own thoughts. Concentration is draining. You might find that for the first few days, they seem more tired and irritable.

1. Set goals of 15 minutes of concentrated learning. Expect your student to take a 2 minute break to get some water, pet the dog, or break into his concentration in some way.
2. Expect a shorter school day. Students may be able to complete lessons in a shorter time span than when they are in a traditional classroom because the distractions are lessened, and they don’t have to wait for a teacher to corral an entire class. Help your student set completion goals, not based on time, but lesson content. When the lesson is done, so are they.
3. Start your student’s day by standing. Clear a table or counter where your student can stand and learn. Prepare the space in advance so it is clear of clutter and large enough to accommodate books, papers, and a mouse.
4. Vary the environment. Have a quiet seating area for your student to move to, again with space for a computer and books. From standing to sitting, this change in posturing will help keep your student engaged.
5. Invest in noise-canceling headphones if that is helpful. Make sure there is adequate room lighting, often in the form of a window.

EXPOSURE

Be diligent. The wild west is alive and well on the web. Online activity increases children’s risk of being targeted by predators. Simply browsing the net can lead to viewing objectionable sites. Help to keep your student safe.  

1. Keep computers and streaming devices in public locations, with screens turned into the room. Do not allow devices, including phones, to be used behind closed doors, in bedrooms, or basements where there is no family traffic.
2. Set up a policy where student passwords are available to you and you are willing to check in at any time.
3. In addition to safety filters, install monitoring software on your devices, such as Covenant Eyes.  

A quick personal story: When my very social homeschool daughter was entering her second semester of dual enrollment at our local community college, she asked to sign up for all online classes. While she enjoyed the interaction and environment of classroom learning, she found herself to be much more efficient with online learning. This provided more time for her to engage in activities and friendships because she could finish her studies in less time. My youngest son, who is very physical, also appreciated online learning because he could pack up his laptop and take his learning with him. His drive and engagement suffered if he was tied to a classroom desk.

Get started: Print this list and work with your student to set up a structure that will help them transition to their temporary but new online learning environment. Rejoice and use this time to teach new skills, build relationships, and explore hobbies that you might not usually have time for.

Copyright © 2020 Cheri Frame – All Rights Reserved.

Category: Blog